The ex-vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and General Director of the Medical Research Council  between 2016 and 2023, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, was honoured with the Knight Grand Cross for “recognition of his work in cancer research”.

Leszek Borysiewicz’s scientific activity focuses on viral immunology, infectious diseases, and virus-induced malignancies. He has co-authored and co-edited many books on these topics, including on immunisation. 

Leszek Borysiewicz has received many awards and honours for his scientific achievements. He was also chairman of the Wellcome Trust, a council member of Cancer Research UK, a founding member of the Academy of Medical Sciences and co-chairman of the MRC stem cell advisory group.

The 73-year-old scientist was born in Cardiff, Wales, to a family of Polish refugees from the 2 World War who came to the UK with General Władysław Anders’ army. He studied medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine and obtained his PhD at the prestigious Imperial College London, before working at Cambridge University and Hammersmith Hospital in London.

In 2001, Borysiewicz received his noble title from Queen Elizabeth II for his services to vaccination, including his role in the first European trials of the cervical cancer (HPV) vaccine, which entered the recommended public vaccination programme for adolescent girls.

In 2018 Sir Leszek Borysewicz was awarded with Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

Sir Leszek Borysiewicz is a fluent Polish speaker, despite being born in the UK.

As he explained ‘the language and knowledge of Polish history, and culture has been maintained in his family all the time’. 

“As one gets older, this culture and connection to Poland becomes more and more important,’ Sir Leszek Borysiewicz added.

Sir Leszek Borysewicz served as vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, until 2017. At the end of 2016, Borysiewicz was appointed head of Cancer Research UK, a prestigious UK charity dedicated to cancer research.

Source: Times Higher Education, Dzieje.pl

Photo: Robert Małolepszy, Polish Embassy

Tomasz Modrzejewski