Dr Barker first pursued an academic interest in drug development during an undergraduate degree in Pharmacology, from which she graduated with First class honours. Aligned with translational research, she continued down a clinical route, obtaining an MBChB at the University of Dundee. Dr Barker completed early post-graduate medical training in Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively, before embarking on Medical Oncology specialist training in South-West England.

As a senior Medical Oncology trainee, with a passion for healthcare innovation and quality improvement initiatives, Dr Barker sought secondment opportunities focused on leadership development. This led her to the CCRP, where she has delivered a clinical trial pathway focused on widening access of patients in South Wales, to clinical trials investigating T-cell engager bispecific antibodies for the treatment of solid tumours.

Engaged with the wider research community, Dr Barker currently sits on the Wales Cancer Research Centre Early and Mid-Career Researcher Committee and is looking forward to playing a key role in the 2026 CCRP annual conference.