One of Children’s Medical Research Institute’s cancer researchers has received a 2025 University of Sydney award for his work investigating how cells die during radiotherapy.

Dr Radek Szmyd received the 2025 University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health Mid-Career Research Outstanding Publication Award. This was for his publication in Nature Cell Biology earlier this year.

Radek said he was humbled and grateful for the award.

“For me, this award is proof that persistence matters,” he said. “I know I wouldn’t be here without the support of my supervisors and colleagues. It affirms the value of producing high-quality research and reminds me to keep trusting my work, believing in its value, and staying true to the science I love.”

The awards celebrate the contributions of young researchers in advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes through their work.

Radek’s work solved a mystery of cancer research in explaining why cells die in different ways following radiotherapy and has created new opportunities to improve cancer treatment and increase cure rates.