Dr. Vignir Helgason

Biography

Vignir Helgason is a Professor at the Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Iceland in 2000 and worked at deCODE genetics in Reykjavik before pursuing an academic career. He completed his PhD under the guidance of Prof. Kevin Ryan at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in 2007. Helgason has held post-doctoral positions at the Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre and has been involved in pioneering work integrated with basic and clinical research. He was awarded the Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund Research Fellowship in 2013 to support his independent research, focusing on leukaemia. His team's research is primarily targeted at Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) and methods to overcome drug resistance in leukaemia stem cells, involving novel therapeutic strategies such as targeting cancer metabolism and autophagy. Helgason’s efforts have facilitated major advancements in translational research for CML, resulting in significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of this disease.

Research Interests

Experience