Richard Gilbertson trained as a paediatric oncologist in the UK before moving in 2000 to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USA where he served as Scientific and Comprehensive Cancer Centre Director, Executive Vice President and Lillian R Cannon Endowed Chair.  In August 2015, he moved back home to England where he is Li Ka Shing Chair of Oncology and Head of Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, Director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre and Senior Group Leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. His laboratory research is focused on understanding the link between normal development and the origins of cancer, particularly brain tumors.