Dr. Ralitsa Madsen, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Principal Investigator in the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU), has been awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh Dame Anne McLaren Early Career Medal in Life Sciences for 2025. The medal recognises exceptional early-career contributions to advancing knowledge in the life sciences.
The RSE citation highlights Dr. Madsen’s contribution to a quantitative, systems-level understanding of PI3K/AKT signalling and the role of this fundamental cellular circuit in human development and disease. The citation also emphasises Dr. Madsen’s efforts to make knowledge accessible and useful through public and patient involvement in research and acknowledges her leadership in open science and research integrity, including her role on the UK Committee on Research Integrity.
Dr. Madsen’s research tackles a long-standing puzzle in medicine: how can the very same genetic change cause cancer in some situations, yet have completely different effects in others? This is true for one of the most well-known cancer-linked genes, PIK3CA. Many treatments are developed with the idea that one faulty gene will lead to one predictable disease and therefore can be matched with one specific drug. But Dr. Madsen’s work has shown that this “one gene – one disease – one drug” approach can be too simplistic and may explain why certain targeted therapies do not help all the patients they were designed for.
To solve this paradox, her lab creates precise models of human disease by editing genes in stem cells and turning them into the exact cell types affected in patients. They then study how these cells behave using advanced measurements and computer-based analysis. This research is helping to reveal why the same mutation can lead to very different outcomes, and is paving the way for more accurate, personalised treatments for people living with PI3K-related conditions.
Upon receipt of the medal, Dr. Madsen says:
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled by the receipt of the RSE Dame Anne McLaren medal. This is an inspiration not only for myself but for my entire team as we continue our efforts to develop a predictive understanding of this highly disease-relevant signalling circuit, through quantitative studies across the entire lineage tree of human development. Our daily inspiration comes from the community of patients with mutations in the PI3K pathway, and I would like to dedicate this medal to them all. We will not stop until we have delivered meaningful advances, and we will do so by adhering to and championing the Concordat to Support Research Integrity which is fundamental to research excellence.”
Professor Dario Alessi, Director of the MRC PPU, adds:
“Ralitsa is an exceptional scientist whose work is making important contributions to our understanding of PI3K/AKT signalling and its relevance to human disease. Her commitment to quantitative, rigorous science, combined with her leadership in open research and integrity is outstanding.The Dame Anne McLaren Medal recognises not only her exceptional achievements to date, but also the enormous potential of her future contributions.”