Biography
Professor Nandita deSouza (Emeritus, Translational Imaging) was the lead academic radiologist at The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. She co-directed the Cancer Research UK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group at the ICR, co-ordinating multi-disciplinary research that integrated clinical medicine, physics, biochemistry and engineering to improve patient care.
Her research was primarily focused on using MRI to establish prognostic and treatment response biomarkers and to improve MRI techniques for diagnosing cancer, including using robotic devices to target biopsies under MR guidance.
Professor deSouza pioneered the use of endocavitary probes in MRI. These imaging devices can be inserted into the body to provide high-quality images of cancer tissue and track chemical changes within tumours. This not only provides a more accurate picture of the tumour – to help, for example, in planning surgery for cervical cancer that preserves fertility – but also gives clues on how the tumour will behave. This can be used to assess, for example, whether early-stage prostate cancer will progress and cause symptoms.
Professor deSouza’s impressive results were instrumental in securing programme and centre grants that were used to establish an imaging research centre with state-of-the-art imaging equipment. The CRUK/EPSRC Cancer Imaging Centre at the ICR was officially opened in July 2009 and will ensure that the organisation continues to stay at the forefront of imaging research.
Professor deSouza completed her BSc in Physiology (1978) and medical training (1983) at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists. She cemented her interest in research through a Doctor of Medicine, which she completed in 1996 while a Senior Research Fellow at Hammersmith Hospital’s Robert Steiner Magnetic Resonance Unit.
In 1995, Professor deSouza took up the post of Senior Lecturer at the Imperial College School of Medicine and Royal Postgraduate Medical School, while continuing her work at the hospital. In 2000 she was appointed a Reader in Imaging at Imperial College, and moved to the ICR in this position in 2004, where she was appointed Professor in 2008.
Professor deSouza has a major interest in mentorship for women in academic medicine and has worked through the Women in Academic Medicine Committee to develop a code for part-time and flexible training for academics. She served as a member of the Athena SWAN steering group. She served as Senior tutor for the ICR and was appointed Deputy Dean (Clinical) in 2011. In addition, she supervised several PhD and MD students.
Professor deSouza was given Emeritus status in October 2020. She remains involved in setting standards for quantitative imaging by serving on European and North American committees. She participates in the Science and Technology Foundation Imaging Network, the annual programme committee of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, and contributes to several prestigious funding review bodies. She continues to lecture widely to national and international audiences.
Professor deSouza is married with one daughter and one grandson. She lists her hobbies as hiking and enjoying her daughter’s performances in classical music.