Gareth Jenkins (scientist)
Gareth Jenkins is a professor of molecular carcinogenesis at Swansea University Medical School. Based in the Institute of Life Science, his interests include the study of DNA mutation induction and the role of DNA mutations as diagnostic biomarkers for cancer. He is also director of research of the medical school and a “research leader” for Health and Care Research Wales.
Jenkins' research gained much recognition during 2016 when his revolutionary cancer-detecting blood test was widely covered in the British press.
Education and career
Jenkins undertook a joint honours BSc in physics and biology at King's College London in 1987. Subsequent to this, he studied for an MSc in biotechnology at the University of West of England in 1991. He worked at Cardiff University in the pure and applied biology department from 1992 to 1993 before moving to the genetics department at Swansea University to undertake a PhD under the supervision of Professor Jim Parry. He joined the newly founded medical school in Swansea in 2004 as senior lecturer, appointed reader in 2007, then professor in 2010. He is currently the associate dean for research, innovation and impact in the faculty of medicine, Health and Life Science.During the 2016 British Science Festival hosted in Swansea, Jenkins made national headlines during a presentation on his cancer-detecting blood test.