Dr Aditi Vedi's pioneering work has been honoured with a prestigious national award.
Dr Vedi, Bye-Fellow and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, is the Chief Investigator of a groundbreaking project within the Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH) Innovation Hub, which recently won the Further, Faster, Together category at the Cancer Research Horizons Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards. The award recognises outstanding collaborations between academia and industry that accelerate progress in cancer research and treatment.
The Innovation Hub, launched in September 2024 as a joint initiative between Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Cambridge, and biotechnology company Illumina, aims to revolutionise genomic diagnostics for children. By enabling early access to state-of-the-art Illumina technology, the Hub has demonstrated that ultrafast whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can significantly improve clinical outcomes in over half of paediatric cancer cases.
Speaking about the award, Dr Vedi said:
“Our team is thrilled to receive this recognition from Cancer Research Horizons. This award acknowledges a unique partnership between academia, the NHS, and industry that is already delivering tangible benefits for children with cancer. The Ultrafast Whole Genome Sequencing study has shown how genomic technologies can enhance precision diagnosis, inform targeted therapies, and reduce unnecessary treatment. We are incredibly grateful to the children and families who took part in the study.”
The award also includes £5,000 in funding to support team development and learning initiatives.
The Innovation Hub is based within the Department of Paediatrics at Cambridge University Hospitals and integrates expertise from the East Genomic Laboratory Hub, which provides NHS genetic diagnostic services. The Hub gives researchers early access to next-generation sequencing tools, helping evaluate their real-world clinical utility.
Looking ahead, the Hub plans to move to the Genomics Centre within the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital, part of the forthcoming Cambridge Children’s Research Institute. This next phase will build on the success of the Ultrafast WGS project and continue to drive innovation in the care of children with cancer, rare genetic conditions, and complex chronic diseases.
The study was supported by the Rosetrees Trust, Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, the Isaac Newton Trust, and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.
Lucy Cavendish College warmly congratulates Dr Vedi and her colleagues on this outstanding achievement.