Anne Willis: Pioneering RNA Research & Supporting Women in STEMM
Cambridge, UK – – Professor Anne Willis, Director of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Toxicology Unit at the University of Cambridge, is a leading researcher in the field of post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Her work focuses on understanding how RNA regulation impacts cellular response to toxic injury, with implications for drug safety and the development of new RNA-based therapeutics. In a recent interview, Professor Willis discussed her career path, current research and the challenges facing women in STEMM fields.
From DNA Repair to RNA Therapeutics
Professor Willis’s scientific journey began with a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of London, where she investigated DNA repair mechanisms with Dr. Tomas Lindahl. She then moved to Cambridge for postdoctoral work with Professor Richard Perham, followed by a junior research fellowship at Churchill College. Her career progressed through positions at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham before she became Director of the MRC Toxicology Unit in .
Her research has evolved significantly over the years, but a central theme has remained: understanding the intricate mechanisms that control gene expression. “I work on the posttranscriptional control of gene expression, with a focus on the RNA binding proteins and cognate RNAs that regulate mRNA translation/protein synthesis and the associated pathways including the integrated stress response (ISR), the ribotoxic stress response (RSR), and ribosome-associated quality control (RQC),” she explained. This work is increasingly relevant as new therapeutic modalities, particularly those based on RNA, enter clinical use.
Currently, Professor Willis’s team is applying this expertise to assess the safety and efficacy of novel medicine platforms, including mRNA vaccines and antisense oligonucleotides. “We are understanding the safety liabilities associated with new medicine platforms…and to improve their efficacy, using this information to ensure that nucleic-acid based therapeutics are ‘safe-by-design’,” she stated. This research aims to predict and mitigate potential “off target” effects of these powerful new therapies.
Addressing Barriers for Women in STEMM
Professor Willis is also a vocal advocate for greater equity and support for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). She highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by women, particularly those with families. A key issue, she explained, is the lack of continued funding for research grants during parental leave. “A major issue is that while maternity leave is paid for around 9-12 months…none of the funders will extend the grant funding by the same period time. In other words that a third or more of project time can be lost.”
This funding gap creates a significant disadvantage for female postdocs, impacting their productivity and career progression. Professor Willis proposes a solution: “What is needed is for grant awarding bodies to pay for an additional year on top of maternity pay to ensure that female postdocs are truly competitive at this vital career stage.” She also suggested the implementation of research support schemes, such as “floating” postdocs who can assist with critical experiments during leave, as a valuable resource.
For senior scientists and those on tenure tracks, Professor Willis emphasized the need for greater flexibility and understanding. She suggested considering shared senior appointments, allowing two researchers to co-lead a laboratory, and a more nuanced assessment of research output that acknowledges the impact of family responsibilities. “The impact on scientific outputs of having a child doesn’t stop when maternity leave ends!” she stressed.
A Legacy of Discovery and Mentorship
Beyond her research and advocacy, Professor Willis finds immense satisfaction in the process of scientific discovery and collaboration. “The excitement of discovery, contribution to knowledge, and collaboration with others” are what she enjoys most about her work. She is particularly proud of the real-world impact of her team’s research, which has contributed to new therapeutic directions and improved the safety profiles of emerging medicines.
However, she considers her greatest achievement to be the mentorship of numerous successful scientists who have gone on to establish their own labs and contribute to the field. “The research from my team has led to new therapeutic directions and drug discovery programmes in industry…However, I am proudest of the fact that I have trained a large number of people who are now successful scientists…The combined work that ex-lab members do to expand this important area of science is a legacy.”
Advice for Aspiring Women Scientists
When asked what advice she would give to a woman considering a career in science, Professor Willis offered a straightforward message: “Focus on your research whatever career stage you are at. If you have children, do not allow yourself to be persuaded to go down the ‘teaching only’ route as We see ‘easier.’ It is hard work, but you can do both and it is a very rewarding and exciting career.” Her own career trajectory serves as a powerful example of the rewards of dedication, perseverance, and a passion for scientific inquiry.