Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Velindre Cancer Service, specialising in neuro-oncology and lung cancer
Honorary Visiting Professor at Cardiff University

Dr Powell completed a PhD at the Institute of Cancer Genetics at Cardiff University in 2014. His research interest is in investigating advanced MRI imaging methods and radiotherapy treatment to improve outcomes for patients with brain tumours.

James is the clinical and research lead for neuro-oncology at Velindre Cancer Service and has developed brain tumour clinical trial activity in Cardiff, improving access to clinical trials for patients with brain tumours in Wales. He sits on the trial management group for several national brain tumour trials. James is co-applicant for the NCRI funded APPROACH clinical trial which is comparing neuro-cognitive effects of photon and proton radiotherapy in patients with glioma. He has led several brain tumour research collaborations with the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC).

James is clinical lead for the Advancing Radiotherapy Cymru (ARC) Academy and lead for the Radiotherapy theme in the Cancer research strategy for Wales (CReST). He is also clinical lead for the Brain Tumour Multi-disciplinary Research Group in Cardiff and the Cancer Research Wales-funded Brain Tumour Research Initiative (BATRI), a research fund aiming to bring together academic and clinical leaders to develop and build a thriving critical mass of brain tumour research in Wales.