Clatterbridge consultant is made honorary Professor

Posted 2nd December 2022

A Clatterbridge consultant has been awarded an Honorary Professorship by the University of Liverpool.

Prof Isabel Syndikus has been given the honour after working in the NHS for more than 35 years and at Clatterbridge since 1996.

Following completion of her studies in medicine in Munich, Germany, Prof Syndikus worked in general medicine for four years before embarking on her oncology training in 1990 at the Royal Marsden Hospital and the University College Hospital in London. She spent a year as research fellow at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, Canada, before she was appointed as a Consultant in Clinical Oncology at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust.

Prof Syndikus specialises in radiotherapy for haematological malignancies (lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia) and urological malignancies (bladder and prostate cancer). Since 1998, she has been the Clinical Lead for the Urology SRG at Clatterbridge and has led the Urology Network Group for many years. She is Clatterbridge’s Director for Medical Education and is involved with undergraduate and postgraduate education.

Prof Syndikus has extensive clinical trial research experience, including as chief investigator for the PIVOTALboost and CHHiP trials. Clatterbridge is consistently top recruiter nationally for PIVOTALboost and these trials are changing standard radiotherapy practice in the UK and are highly valued internationally.

Prof Syndikus said: “I am delighted to receive this honour from the University of Liverpool. Working in both clinical and academic areas of oncology is incredibly rewarding. I am passionate about research and the partnership between the university and Clatterbridge is growing stronger and more fruitful all the time, giving even greater impetus to our search for even better treatments and care for our patients.”

Prof Christian Ottensmeier, Clatterbridge’s Director of Clinical Research, said: “This recognition for Professor Syndikus is thoroughly deserved. Not only has she been important to the clinical team here at Clatterbridge for more than 25 years, she has built up a wealth of expertise as a very active researcher.

“She is as valued leader in prostate cancer radiotherapy research and her expertise is now informing the next generation of oncology students through her association with the University of Liverpool.

“She joins a number of University of Liverpool professors who are practising at Clatterbridge, which can only enhance our reputation nationally as a leading cancer centre with research at its core, as a driver to improve outcomes for our patients in Cheshire, Merseyside, and beyond.”