07 Nov 2024 Research

University of Southampton’s Dr Giorgia Chiodin Wins Olive Boles Innovation Award

Dr Giorgia Chiodin from the University of Southampton has been awarded the prestigious Olive Boles Innovation Award for 2024. Awarded annually to a Leukaemia UK John Goldman Fellow, this award recognises innovative, high-risk research projects with the potential to significantly advance blood cancer treatment and understanding. Dr Chiodin’s pioneering study focuses on Burkitt lymphoma, a highly aggressive and challenging form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma caused by abnormal B cells of the immune system.

Burkitt lymphoma is one of the fastest growing and most challenging cancers, known for its rapid progression and poor prognosis. She will explore specific sugar modifications on the surface of cancer cells, particularly on proteins called immunoglobulins, which may influence BL’s aggressive behaviour. Her work aims to uncover how these sugar changes affect tumour growth and progression, potentially revealing new treatment avenues. By mapping these modifications and testing their impact on BL cells, Dr Chiodin hopes to provide insights that could lead to targeted therapies specifically designed to counteract these cellular changes.

While Dr Chiodin’s research focuses on Burkitt lymphoma, the insights could extend to other lymphomas with similar characteristics, potentially benefiting a broader range of cancer treatments. Her work could pave the way for therapies that address these sugar modifications, improving treatment options not only for BL patients but for those facing similarly aggressive cancers.

Dr Giorgia Chiodin said: “I am very honoured to have received the John Goldman Fellowship and the Olive Boles Innovation Award. I am grateful to Leukaemia UK for supporting my research on Burkitt lymphoma and to Olive Boles for her dedication to promote research on blood cancers and for the creation of the John Goldman Fellowship scheme. My deepest thanks go also to the donors who generously make research advancements possible.”