Professor Dean Fennell

Organisation: University Hospitals of Leicester
Job title: Chair of Thoracic Medical Oncology & Director, Mesothelioma Research Programme

Professor Dean Fennell is a physician scientist focused on advancing stratified therapy and immuno-oncology for patients with mesothelioma. He has designed and led several investigator-initiated trials from phase 1 through phase III (including NERO, CONFIRM, VIM, MIST, MESO2, SELECT). His lab currently focuses on novel precision medicine strategies and understanding mesothelioma evolution.

He was past president of the International mesothelioma interest group (IMIG), past NCRI mesothelioma chair. He co-authored both the UK BTS, and European (ESMO, ERS) mesothelioma treatment guidelines, and served two terms on the EORTC board.

Prof. Fennell held CRUK clinician scientist and MRC doctoral fellowships. He originally trained in pharmacology and medicine at University College London, then completed medical training in the London Golden circuit, with Medical Oncology specialist training at Barts Hospital, London. He has published 191 peer reviewed articles in journals including The Lancet, Lancet Oncology, New England Journal of Medicine, Nature. He was the 2023 recipient of two international prizes; the IMIG Senior Investigator Research Medal, and also the MARF Pioneer award. In 2023 he became a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, and in 2024 was elected as a fellow of the academy of medical sciences, and and Life Fellow of the European Academy of Medical Sciences. In 2025 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science.