Jason Carroll, Senior Group Leader

Jason Carroll is Professor of Molecular Oncology at the University of Cambridge and has been a Group Leader at our Institute since 2006.

He is also Associate Director for Research Culture and Innovation.

Jay’s long career at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute means he is well-placed to reflect on what first motivated him to apply to work here, as well as what makes him stay!

After you’ve watched Jay’s video, read on to learn more about the person behind the lab coat.

You’ve been at the Institute for a number of years now, can you describe your career journey before arriving at the Institute?

I was a student in Australia and initially wanted to do marine biology but was told that the money was in medical research, so I transferred and did a year in virology. This really didn’t appeal to me, so I then got into cancer research, which I found fascinating.

I moved from Melbourne to Sydney to do my PhD and then moved to Boston in the United States for my postdoctoral training at the Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School.

I heard about the job at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute through colleagues but didn’t think I was ready to be a faculty member, so I interviewed mostly because I got pressured into looking at the job. However, when I came to the UK for the interview and saw the Institute and the position I called my wife and said, “Wow, this is amazing, I really want this job!”

What was it about the Institute that impressed you so much?

In 2006 this was a brand-new Institute. It was an exciting new initiative, adjacent to the University of Cambridge. The Core Funding that came from Cancer Research UK was very attractive. It meant that I could start my lab from scratch and invest in long term projects because I knew the money would still be there in five years, even ten years.

The Institute really is the perfect place to do science. You benefit from the strength of being at one of the world’s leading universities. You’re on a hospital site, which means your work is relevant for patient care, and if you want to translate your science to impact patients you have the ability to do that.

What’s been your proudest moment working here?

One of my proudest moments here was the development of a new technology that allowed us to study protein interactions.

Now, I’m a genomics person, so I normally think about the genome and the DNA; what happens on the DNA. However, because we were part of this Institute, we have the opportunity to explore technologies that we don’t typically explore. As a result, my Group was able to develop a technology in a completely different research area [to our typical focus].

We created a method called RIME, which allows us to look at protein complexes. There’s no way I could have done this outside of the Institute, but because of our wonderful Core Facilities – and the people that run those Core Facilities – we have the ability to develop new technologies.

We’ve applied this method to a number of scientific questions that have allowed us to address questions in cancer that we could never have [done] otherwise.

When you have good news, who are you most excited to share your positive work news with?

My wife. She works for AstraZeneca and we purposefully don’t talk much science at home so that we keep work at work, but if it’s something really big, I will tell her. And I tell my dogs who always seem excited, regardless of the news.

And what makes a good colleague in your opinion?

Someone I can have a laugh with on a regular basis, who can listen to my whinges if I am struggling with something and who is willing to challenge me and tell me that I am wrong.

Reflecting on your career to date, what skill would you say is your superpower?

I am optimistic and positive, even in the most challenging situations.

I have walked into interviews before and can literally see people sit up and pay attention because I am excited about what I am talking about.

And, finally, what’s a pastime you enjoy that has nothing to do with work?

My dogs and kids keep me busy, but I play the guitar to decompress and I try to keep fit, which is fantastic for mental stability. I also enjoy cooking.