Robert Hawkins
About Robert Hawkins
Robert Hawkins is an accomplished medical oncologist and advisor, currently serving as a Non Executive Director at BiVictriX Therapeutics plc and as an Advisor/Founder at Instil Bio. He has extensive experience in oncology, particularly in metastatic renal cancer, and has held various academic and leadership positions over a career spanning several decades.
Current Role at BiVictriX Therapeutics plc
Robert Hawkins serves as a Non Executive Director at BiVictriX Therapeutics plc since 2021. In this role, he contributes to the strategic direction and oversight of the company, which focuses on developing innovative therapies for cancer treatment.
Work at Instil Bio
Robert Hawkins has held multiple positions at Instil Bio, including Co-founder, Director, Chief Strategy Advisor, and currently, Advisor/Founder since 2024. His work at Instil Bio has centered on advancing adoptive cell therapies for solid tumors and he played a significant role in the acquisition of Immetacyte Ltd by Instil Bio Inc in March 2020.
Education and Expertise
Robert Hawkins studied Medicine at University College London, earning his MB BS from 1979 to 1984. He also studied Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, achieving a BA from 1974 to 1977. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Molecular Biology at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology from 1989 to 1992. Hawkins specializes in the treatment of metastatic renal cancer and has expertise in pre-clinical and clinical development of antibodies, gene therapy, cell therapy, and cancer immunotherapy.
Academic Background
Robert Hawkins has an extensive academic background, having served as a Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Manchester from 1998 to 2019 and as an Honorary Professor of Medical Oncology from 2019 to 2023. He also worked as a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge from 1992 to 1996 and as a Consultant Medical Oncology at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust from 1998 to 2019.
Professional Achievements
Throughout his career, Robert Hawkins has made significant contributions to the field of oncology. He served as Cancer Research UK Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Manchester and Christie Hospital from 1998 to 2021. His leadership roles and research initiatives have advanced the understanding and treatment of various cancers, particularly metastatic renal cancer.