JBU George at the International Bladder Cancer Network 2025
We’re delighted to share that George, our York Against Cancer funded PhD student at the Jack Birch Unit at the University of York, was awarded a spectacular prize at this year’s International Bladder Cancer Network (IBCN).
George is currently researching the potential link between bladder cancer and a virus called the BK virus. In his PhD, George is studying how the tissue that lines the bladder detects and responds to BK virus infections, with the aim to uncover new avenues of preventions and possible cures for bladder cancer, such as potentially developing a vaccination or antiviral therapy in the future.
George and the JBU team at the IBCN.
Here’s what George told us about his experience at the IBCN…
“I recently had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of the International Bladder Cancer Network hosted in Munich, Germany, alongside my supervisors Prof Jennifer Southgate, Dr Andrew Mason and Dr Simon Baker, and additional JBU members Dr Vicki Jennings and Dr Jennifer Baker. The meeting was hosted at the Hilton Hotel, and attended by more than 200 researchers, clinicians, and industry representatives from around the world.
“At the meeting we heard a fascinating range of talks, from the latest clinical trials of exciting new therapies, to insightful research into the causes of bladder cancer. In between presentations, I had the opportunity to network with many experts in the bladder cancer field and gain valuable research insights and career advice.”
George presenting his work on BK virus.
“In preparation for the meeting, I submitted an Abstract based on the results so far from my York Against Cancer funded PhD. I was honoured that my Abstract was selected for a 10 minute podium presentation – my first ever international talk! In my talk, I presented results supporting our latest theory on how the response of bladder urothelial cells to infection with BK virus may lead to bladder cancer.
“After the meeting, I was delighted to learn that my presentation had been awarded the third place prize by the judging panel. Overall, the meeting has been a real highlight of my PhD experience thus far, and I am immensely grateful to both my supervisors and to York Against Cancer for providing me with the opportunity to attend.”
We’re so pleased to see the important work conducted at the JBU continue to receive international recognition at conferences such as the IBCN – we can’t wait to see where their research will lead next. Click here to find out more about the JBU.
