Joe Baxter

Joe Baxter has worked in the field of oncology since 2014. Joe began their career as a Wellcome Trust Summer Research Student at The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge in 2013. During this time, they developed techniques in sterile tissue culture, basic PCR and RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy. In 2014, they worked as an Undergraduate Research Project at the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, performing siRNA knockdown and Western blots as well as further developing their tissue culture and fluorescence microscopy skills.

Joe then moved to The Institute of Cancer Research, where they held two roles. First, they were a Postdoctoral Training Fellow, investigating genetic determinants of resistance and sensitivity to DNA damage response inhibitors in cancer. During this time, they worked with two inhibitors of DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors: PARP inhibitors, already a first-line treatment for some types of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers; and ATR inhibitors, which have shown promising results in recent Phase I clinical trials. This work harnessed the concept of synthetic lethality to specifically kill cancer cells, whilst leaving healthy cells unharmed. Second, they were a Cancer Research UK PhD Student, focusing on common genetic variation at the 2q35 locus of the human genome, a region previously implicated in increased risk of developing breast cancer. Their PhD allowed him to develop many laboratory skills.

Joe is currently working as a Scientist at Engitix Therapeutics since 2022.

Joe Baxter completed their education history with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Functional Genetic Epidemiology from The Institute of Cancer Research between 2014 and 2018. Prior to this, they completed a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge between 2011 and 2014. Before that, they attended King Edward VI School between 2006 and 2011.