Timothy Yap

Completion date: PhD (clinical) 2010, Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology 2013

Dr Yap undertook a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology in the Division of Cancer Therapeutics from February 2007 to August 2010. As a Medical Oncology Specialist Registrar, he also undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, which he completed in October 2013.

During his research, Dr Yap was involved in the preclinical and clinical development of AKT and AGC kinase inhibitors, which also included the development of novel biomarker assays for use in clinical trials. He subsequently won several awards from ASCO, AACR and EORTC, and was also awarded the McElwain Prize by the Association of Cancer Physicians, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award.

After completing his PhD, Dr Yap combined translational laboratory research with clinical work as an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Medical Oncology based in the Drug Development Unit at the ICR and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. 

In 2014, Dr Yap was appointed joint module leader for the Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer module on the ICR's MSc Oncology.

Dr Yap left the ICR in 2017 to take up an Associate Professor appointment in theDepartment of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“The ICR is a very special place for a number of reasons. As a clinician, I found the move into the lab very seamless and felt very welcomed and supported by everyone in my lab, especially my supervisors Dr Michelle Garrett, Professor Paul Workman and Dr Mike Walton. I was also encouraged to continue collaborations with my clinical mentors Professor Johann de Bono and Professor Stan Kaye.”

“Because of its ‘boutique’ size, the ICR is a very cosy and friendly place where most people know each other by name, from the scientists in different groups, to the caterers in the cafeteria, to the receptionists, librarians, and the helpful guys in the IT department. There was always a “go to” person to speak to for advice, and they were always willing to help.”

“The pH bar was a great place to meet informally with friends and colleagues after work, and I have fond memories of the Annual mini-Olympics, which was always good fun.”

“My time at the ICR has had a major influence on my career, and I attribute much of what I have achieved thus far to the excellent training and invaluable experiences gained during my PhD in the ICR.”