About the Programme
National training Fellowships for doctors building a career in brain tumour treatment, care and research.
Brain tumours remain one of the most challenging areas of cancer care. To transform outcomes, we need clinicians with deep specialist knowledge, research capability and multidisciplinary experience. The Tessa Jowell Neuro-Oncology Fellowships are national training fellowships for doctors nearing completion of specialty training who wish to develop advanced expertise in brain tumour treatment and research.
“I would highly recommend this fellowship to others and would recommend above and beyond any competitors in the UK. I have developed skills that I would never have achieved without the fellowship opportunities.” Dr Sean Main, Inaugural Tessa Jowell Fellow (2023/24)
Paediatric Fellowships
Neuro-oncology Fellowship, London
Expression of interest open
Supervisor: Dr Darren Hargrave
Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London Hospitals
Applications open soon
Adult Fellowships
Neuro-oncology Fellowship, Cambridge
Applications Open
Supervisor: Dr Hannah Buckley
Cambridge University Hospitals
Deadline 11 October 2026
Neurology in Neuro-oncology Fellowship, London
Applications closed
Supervisor: Dr Gerald Finnerty
King’s College London
Deadline 10 May 2026
How the Programme Works
Apply to become a Fellow or explore how your centre can host a Fellow.
Interested in hosting a Tessa Jowell Fellow?
Learn what what the programme can offer and how your centre can get involved.
Interested in becoming a Tessa Jowell Fellow?
Find out what the Fellowship involves, who can apply and how to apply. For open application rounds, please see the current opportunities section.
Why Tessa Jowell Fellowships
Learn more about why the Tessa Jowell Fellowships exist
Fellowship Structure
The Fellowship is a 12-month, full-time post. Its curriculum is made up of four complementary modules combining clinical and research training with national leadership opportunities. Fellows will be supernumerary, with no on-call or night shift commitments, to protect the time needed for this depth of training and for research. The Fellowship modules can be structured flexibly in line with the Fellow’s preference and the opportunities offered by the host institution and supervisor. Modules are typically undertaken concurrently:
Tessa Jowell Fellows
Dr Valentina Fenech
Tessa Jowell Neurology Fellow
Dr Diogo Silva
Tessa Jowell Drug Development Fellow
Dr Amir Ameen
Tessa Jowell Neuro-oncology Fellow
Dr Sarah Kingdon
Tessa Jowell Neuro-oncology Fellow
Dr Morag Brothwell
Tessa Jowell Neuro-oncology Fellow
Dr Sean Main
Tessa Jowell Neuro-oncology Fellow
Adult Fellowship Committee
The adult fellowship programme is led by Dr Sarah Jefferies, together with a faculty of multi-disciplinary clinical and research experts from across the UK.
Dr Sarah Jefferies
Programme Lead and Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Dr Helen Bulbeck
Director of Services, brainstrust
Prof. Anthony Chalmers
Chair Clinical Oncology
Dr Juanita Lopez
Consultant Medical Oncologist
Dr Cressida Lorimer
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Dr Fiona McKevitt
Consultant Neurologist
Peter Realf
Patient Representative
Dr Faye Robertson
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Dr Gerry Thompson
Senior Clinical Lecturer Neuro-radiology
Dr Gillian Whitfield
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Paediatric Fellowship Committee
The newly formed paediatric fellowship programme is led by a committee of multi-disciplinary clinical and research experts from across the UK.
Dr Jenny Adamski
Consultant Paediatric Neuro-oncologist
Prof Rob Dineen
Professor of Neuro-radiology
Dr Katie Green
Speciality Registrar Paediatric (neuro-) Oncology
Prof Darren Hargrave
Professor in Paediatric Neuro-oncology
Dr Fiona Herd
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist
Dr Ren Manias
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist
Dr Akanksha Senapati
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist
John-Paul Kilday
Consultant Paediatric Neuro-Oncologist
