Alumni and Supporters

From a student with a love of science to a medical researcher making tremendous strides in cancer research - Dr Emmanuel Acheampong has transformed passion into purpose, dedicating his career to advancing knowledge and bringing hope to patients and families.

Since completing his PhD with Edith Cowan University’s Centre for Precision Health in 2022, Dr Acheampong’s career has soared.

Now a Lecturer in Cancer Precision Medicine at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, Dr Acheampong leads research into liquid biopsy applications in triple-negative breast cancer, lung and colorectal cancer.

“I also teach and supervise students, which I find incredibly rewarding,” Dr Acheampong explains. “The balance between research, mentoring and leadership keeps me engaged and constantly learning.”

It was that love for learning that set Dr Acheampong on this pathway.

“My journey into medical science started quite naturally because of how much I loved chemistry and biology in high school. They were my favourite subjects, and I think that influenced my decision to pursue biochemistry at university which deepened my understanding of human biology,” he says. “During my undergraduate years, I chose to do all my placements in district hospitals laboratories - the hands-on experience at the labs influenced my decision to select clinical biochemistry modules in final year. I wanted to work in a clinical laboratory setting where I could contribute meaningfully to improving patient outcomes.”

Dr Acheampong says he later had the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in chemical pathology, focusing on indicators of prostatic disease.

“I developed a nomogram to predict prostate cancer biopsy outcomes; this project was a turning point. It sparked my interest in cancer biology and precision medicine.  I think from there, my research path became much clearer, and I have been building on that foundation.”

“Studying at ECU was one of the most transformative chapters of my life,” he says. “I arrived in Perth full of curiosity and ideas, and left with a sense of purpose and direction.

But it was his time at ECU that he describes as most impactful, awarded a scholarship to complete his PhD through the Centre for Precision Health (CPH) under supervisor Professor Elin Gray.

“Studying at ECU was one of the most transformative chapters of my life,” he says. “I arrived in Perth full of curiosity and ideas, and left with a sense of purpose and direction.

“The training I received in liquid biopsy and single-cell analysis equipped me with both technical and analytical skills that have been instrumental in my postdoctoral and current research roles.

“The collaborative environment at CPH helped shape my scientific thinking and instilled a strong appreciation for innovation, teamwork, and translational impact, and the unwavering support and encouragement I received from Professor Gray was incredibly impactful, and continues to inspire my work today.”

After submitting his PhD, Dr Acheampong took up a postdoctoral role at the University of Leicester, working his way up to his current role as Lecturer in Cancer Precision Medicine.

“It was an exciting but challenging time - moving to a new country, adjusting to a new system and stepping into more independent research. However, I was working on exciting projects in liquid biopsy and cancer genomics in a wonderful research group led by Professor Jacqui Shaw.

“My focus shifted to breast cancer, specifically looking at genomic analysis of single circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and circulating free DNA (cfDNA) to identify superior biomarkers to guide treatment decisions in metastatic patients.”

Dr Acheampong said one of the toughest parts initially was finding the balance between active research and writing fellowship applications, but it also led to some of his biggest achievements.

“This was a steep learning curve that taught me a lot about resilience and strategic thinking,” he said. “Securing major funding awards, including a Wellcome Trust Accelerator Award and an NIHR Skill Development Grant, has been a significant milestone. These grants have enabled me to build out a research programme focused on improving outcomes for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.”

Entrusted with critical work each day, Dr Acheampong operates under continual pressure - an environment in which he excels.

“While the weight of the work can be overwhelming at times - especially knowing its impact on patients – it is also deeply motivating,” he said.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our research could help guide more effective and personalised treatments for patients.”