Dr. Alison Dunning

Biography

I have spent almost all my career investigating the genetic epidemiology of common diseases, with a PhD in cardiovascular genetics from University College London. My work at the University of Cambridge focuses on the genetics of hormonal cancers, continuing to supervise wet-lab research within the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology (CCGE). I lead high-throughput genetic analysis efforts, including sample collection, genotyping, and sequencing, which underpin collaborative work with teams from international cancer association consortia, particularly the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) and Radiogenomics Consortium (RGC). My research includes fine-scale mapping of breast cancer risk loci to define genetic risk variants that alter breast cancer risk. Additionally, I represent disabled staff within the Clinical School and currently serve as the University Disability Wellbeing Champion, applying my epidemiological expertise to foster an inclusive environment for staff and students from diverse backgrounds. I have conducted Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) on breast cancer risk, defining over 150 regions of the human genome associated with an individual's likelihood of developing breast cancer. These common genetic variants are subsequently combined to create a Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) that helps tailor the optimal frequency of mammograms needed for early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Research Interests