Rebecca Dudley
Summary
Oncology scientist with expertise in immuno-oncology research, tumour microenvironment biology and biologics-focused drug discovery. Experienced in developing complex in vitro and ex vivo models to support mechanism-of-action, potency and biomarker studies for early-stage therapeutics. Proven contributor within cross-functional oncology teams supporting translational research, pre-clinical development and IND-enabling activities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Scientist
AstraZeneca
Cambridge
2022.10 - 2026.05
- Design and implement innovative in vitro models of the tumour microenvironment (TME) through development of physiologically relevant complex 3D assay systems to influence therapeutic program strategy.
- Design and execute complex mechanistic in vitro studies including T-cell redirected killing assays and multi-cellular macrophage/T-cell/tumour co-culture systems to evaluate immune-mediated anti-tumour activity of novel therapeutic agents.
- Lead ex-vivo studies including blood and tumour endpoints, RNA extraction and quantification, NanoString gene analysis and western blotting to support biomarker and mechanism-of-action investigations.
- Led a global collaborative platform build, including CRO coordination, to develop a physiologically relevant method of in vitro tumour-associated macrophage differentiation, co-authored manuscript published November 2025.
- Contributed critical biology data packages supporting successful IND filing for a novel myeloid-targeting therapeutic program.
Associate Scientist
AstraZeneca
Cambridge
2021.04 - 2022.10
- Lead in vitro lab-scientist for a myeloid-targeting oncology program, generating crucial data supporting progression from target validation through candidate drug nomination.
- Managed operations within a high-throughput multi-user oncology laboratory, maintaining continuity during equipment maintenance and supply shortages. Authored risk assessments, supported sustainability initiatives and advised on laboratory operational strategy during COVID-19 and Brexit-related disruptions.
- Developed a novel sandwich ELISA to detect soluble HLA-G in patient samples to determine the suitability as a potential clinical biomarker of disease.
Apprentice Scientist
MedImmune/AstraZeneca
Cambridge
2017.12 - 2021.04
- Supported the UK Cell Culture and Banking (UKCCB) team responsible for live cell provision to different therapy areas maintaining strict quality standards for cell line generation, banking and supply.
- Extensive experience culturing immortalized human cell lines, including genetic modification and quality control.
- Generated CEACAM5 cell lines and performed FACS-based cell sorting to select individual clones for culture and banking.
Education
Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) - Applied Bioscience
University of Kent
Kent 2021.09 - 2023.07
Foundation Degree (FdSc) - Applied Bioscience
University of Kent
Kent 2018.01 - 2021.03
Skills
- 3D tumour microenvironment models
- Immune/tumour co-culture assays
- T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assays
- Multiparameter flow cytometry
- Confocal microscopy
- RNA extraction and quantification
- Primary immune cell isolation
- Tissue culture
- Assay development and optimization
- Lentiviral cell line generation
- ELISA/MSD multiplex cytokine analysis
- Ex-vivo tissue processing
- SDS-PAGE and Western blot
- Live-cell imaging and kinetic monitoring
- Data Analysis, including GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, OMIQ
- Compliance ELN procedures and data recording
Professional Soft Skills
- Strong scientific and cross-functional communication in presentations and in transference of skill sets through training colleagues in scientific methods and lab operations.
- Mentoring junior scientists and assisting with onboarding.
- Proactive leadership in team-building, time management, multi-tasking, project prioritization and external liaising.
- Resilient under pressure, adaptable to changing research environments.
Publications
- D.C Jones, L Irving, R Dudley, M Cobbold, LILRB2 Blockade Facilitates Macrophage Repolarisation and Enhances T Cell-Mediated Anti-Tumour Immunity, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 2025
- A Dyer, R Dudley, S Ahuja, E Timosenko, Characterisation of in vitro tumour associated macrophage models to define translational relevance, Scientific Reports, 2025
- Elizabeth Kuczynski, Kyoko Nakamura, et al., Minimal functional activity and presence of an antigen sink limit CD36 blockade as macrophage-targeted cancer immunotherapy, Pending Submission
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Scientist
AstraZeneca
2022.10 - 2026.05
Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) - Applied Bioscience
University of Kent
2021.09 - 2023.07
Associate Scientist
AstraZeneca
2021.04 - 2022.10
Foundation Degree (FdSc) - Applied Bioscience
University of Kent
2018.01 - 2021.03
Apprentice Scientist
MedImmune/AstraZeneca
2017.12 - 2021.04