Rudy A Menon PhD Studentship: Spring/Summer 2026

The following is written by Rita Pereira, the second Rudy A Menon Foundation funded PhD student working at the ICR.

Since October I have been working on expanding the data I had on EGFR small molecule inhibitors. I have almost finalised the screen combining the 2 EGFR inhibitor candidates selected with our collection of over 800 different drugs. From this, we have identified a few drug combinations that seem promising. I have also finished my screen with EGFR-targeting antibodies, however the results for these have not been as promising as hoped. Taking this into account, I will be focussing on validating the results combining the EGFR small molecule inhibitors with the drugs selected from our collection of 800 drugs over the next few months.

I am also working on expanding the development of in utero electroporation (IUE) models of EGFR-altered tumours. These genetic models have the advantage of having a full immune system, allowing the testing of treatment options in a different context compared to immune compromised animals we use for patient-derived models. I have now been able to generate both hemispheric and midline tumours that I’m hoping represent Gliomatosis Cerebri and Diffuse Midline Glioma-EGFR, respectively. So far the models seem fairly similar in terms of survival, and we need to perform further characterisation to be able to identify any differences between the different locations and genotypes. I am working on the process to be able to put these models back into mice, which can then be used to test the drug combinations I’m selecting from my screen in vivo.

I am also very happy to report that I have submitted an abstract to ISPNO 2026 in Australia, which has been selected for an oral presentation. Over the next few weeks, I will also be focussing on getting all my data together to prepare for this presentation.

I’m getting ready for this year’s “A Walk Around the World for Rudy” challenge and I’m hoping to see you on the 7th of June for the in person walk in London.

Thank you so much for your continued and generous support.