Dr Juliet Gray: Winner of the 2022 Research Hero Award

The Solving Kids’ Cancer UK Hero Awards were first introduced at our 2020 virtual Christmas Carol Concert - to recognise incredible individuals who have gone above and beyond to support those affected by neuroblastoma. 

At this year’s Carol Concert – the first in-person instalment since the pandemic – we decided to introduce a special edition of this award, the Research Hero Award. This accolade is awarded by Team SKC, to recognise excellence and outstanding commitment to children within the research community. 

There is no one more deserving of this award than its first recipient – Dr Juliet Gray, Associate Professor of Paediatric Oncology at University Hospital Southampton. One of the leading neuroblastoma experts in the UK, Juliet has dedicated her career to improving the landscape of treating children with neuroblastoma. In her role at Southampton Hospital, she leads both clinical care and research in this area. One of her current focuses is the MiNivAn trial - a study that is part-funded by Solving Kids' Cancer UK, looking at new combinations of specialist radiotherapy and immunotherapy for relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma. A number of families we support have enrolled on this trial when their standard treatment hasn’t gone as planned. From them, we have heard just how committed and compassionate Dr Gray is in her care for children – offering kindness and hope at what can be the darkest of times.

As well as leading specific research projects, Dr Gray also holds key strategic positions at both UK, European and international levels. As Chair of the NCRI neuroblastoma subgroup, Juliet helps to strategise and accelerate neuroblastoma research here in a UK, and extends this to the European stage in her role as Executive Member of the SIOPEN research network. We are also privileged to have Dr Gray as a member of our esteemed Scientific Advisory Board, who ensure that Solving Kids' Cancer UK’s work in pioneering clinical research is robust, and will bring the best possible impact for children with neuroblastoma. 

Congratulations to Dr Gray on this incredibly well-deserved recognition of her immeasurable contribution to neuroblastoma research, and to a brighter future for children with neuroblastoma.