Dr Ethan Morgan, Lecturer in Biochemistry and Biomedicine, has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 IPVS Early Career Recognition Award by the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS). This honour celebrates exceptional contributions to the field of papillomavirus research by an early career academic holding an independent appointment at a research institute or university.

As part of this recognition, Dr Morgan has been invited to present his groundbreaking work at the IPVS conference in Edinburgh, where researchers from around the world convened to discuss the latest developments in papillomavirus science.

Dr Morgan’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underpinning human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers, including those published on the mechanisms of cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and HPV-driven LASP1 expression in cervical cancer. These works explore how HPV contributes to cellular changes that drive cancer progression and suggest potential pathways for therapeutic intervention in HPV-associated cancers.

Reflecting on the award, Dr Morgan said:

“I am delighted to receive this award from the International Papillomavirus Society. I would like to thank everyone who has made my contributions to HPV research possible, including students, researchers and especially the group leaders that I have had the pleasure to have worked with during my career so far. Our research on HPV will continue in the future, with the aim to find novel treatments for HPV-associated cancers, something which is sorely needed.”

This recognition highlights the importance of understanding papillomavirus biology to develop innovative therapies for HPV-associated diseases.