Join us to celebrate a special milestone for our new professors and hear about their inspiring career journeys. Doors for this event will open at 16.45, with the lectures to commence at 17.00. A drinks reception will be held immediately after the lecture at 18:00.

Please note that registration will close at midnight the Sunday before the lecture.

Professor Antonia Cronin 

21st Century Transplants: From public scandal to pigs 

Abstract

The modern era of organ transplantation has been a remarkable triumph, saving thousands of lives. But as demand for organs has outstripped supply the enterprise has become the victim of its own success. In this lecture I will reflect on key events, including the likes of the ‘kidneys for sale scam’ and the ‘Alder Hey organ retention scandal’, which sparked ethical controversy, novel legislation and transformational change in the delivery of transplant services. I will also consider the extraordinary scientific progress of recent years, in particular advances in gene editing technology, that have made animal-to-human transplants a reality and the prospect of bioartificial organ transplants ever closer - placing us on the one hand at a moment of considerable risk, but on the other immense possibility that might shape the future of transplantation and personal identity.  

Biography

Antonia Cronin is a Consultant Nephrologist at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Medical Ethics and Law at King’s College, London.

Antonia qualified in Medicine from St. Bartholomew’s and The Royal London Medical College. Her specialist training in nephrology and transplantation included posts at Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital and Imperial College and Guy’s and St Thomas’. She was appointed NIHR Clinical Research Consultant Nephrologist in 2010. Alongside her clinical expertise, Antonia has an internationally renowned portfolio of academic expertise in ethics and law, having completed an MA and a Wellcome Trust funded PhD in Medical Law and Ethics. This expertise has led to appointments with UK Government and the European Commission.

Her clinical academic interests include interdisciplinary clinical transplantation research and healthcare ethics, law and policy related to organ donation and transplantation and its associated technology and translational research. Antonia is passionate about improving human health through research and equitable access to healthcare. She also loves outdoor wild swimming and dogs.

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Professor Raj Srirajaskanthan

The Unplanned Path: Serendipity in Neuroendocrine Tumours 

Abstract

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are classified into two main groups: neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). These can arise in any organ, most commonly in the gastroenteropancreatic tract and lungs. Their clinical behaviour varies widely—from indolent NETs like type 1 gastric NETs, with a 10-year survival rate over 95%, to aggressive pancreatic NECs, with median survival under 12 months. Once considered rare, their incidence is rising, likely due to multiple factors. Treatment approaches are diverse, underscoring the importance of multidisciplinary team discussions. During this presentation I will outline my 20-year journey as a NET specialist, highlighting the collaborative opportunities and growth made possible through my involvement with the King’s Health Partners NET team. 

Biography

Raj Srirajaskanthan is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at King’s College Hospital, having previously worked at University Hospital Lewisham. He studied medicine at UMDS (now part of King’s College London) and completed a BSc in Neuroscience. His specialist training in gastroenterology took place in South East London, including a research fellowship at the Royal Free Hospital focusing on neuroendocrine tumours. He now leads the King’s Health Partners ENETs Centre of Excellence, which supports patients across affiliated hospitals in Kent and Hampshire. His clinical and research interests include gastrointestinal NETs, epidemiology, and clinical trials. He is currently Treasurer of UKINETS, on the Executive committee of ENETs and Trustee of NCUK.