Professor John Kelly

Professor John Kelly is a world-renowned Professor of Uro-Oncology at University College London (UCL) and an Honorary Consultant Urological Surgeon.He serves as the Clinical Lead for Urology and Robotic Surgery at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), leading the UK's largest robotic pelvic cancer centre, while maintaining a consultant presence with the Cambridge Urology Partnership.He combines an elite clinical workload with cutting-edge academic and translational research.

Professor Kelly has been at the forefront of minimally invasive and complex pelvic surgery for over 20 years.He is internationally recognised for his pioneering advancements in robotic surgery and his specialised work in urological oncology.His core clinical interests include:

• Robotic & Reconstructive Surgery: A pioneer in advanced robotic surgery utilising the da Vinci system for prostate and bladder cancers, with highly regarded expertise in robotic cystectomy (bladder removal) and complex neobladder reconstruction.

• Uro-Oncology: Expert diagnosis and state-of-the-art management of prostate, bladder, and renal (kidney) cancers.

• Core Urology: Provides comprehensive assessments and treatments for general bladder, prostate, and urinary conditions, including diagnostic investigations like blue-light fluorescence cystoscopy.

A major figure in national cancer strategy and clinical trials, Professor Kelly is heavily involved in discovering next-generation diagnostics and therapies.

• Lab Leadership: Co-leads the prestigious Kelly–Feber Laboratory at UCL, which receives extensive funding from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) to pioneer non-invasive genomic and urinary biomarker tests for early cancer detection.

• National Committees: Serves as the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of The Urology Foundation and holds the prestigious Orchid Chair of Urology.He is also the former Chairman of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Bladder Clinical Studies Group.

• Clinical Trials: Acts as the Chief Investigator for several milestone multi-centre national randomised controlled trials evaluating advanced robotics and innovative therapies (such as hyperthermia).

Professor Kelly graduated with his medical degree from The Queen’s University of Belfast, where he subsequently completed his postgraduate Doctor of Medicine (MD) research degree.Following a highly selective British Urological Foundation Award, he completed an advanced clinical fellowship in Uro-Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Before taking his chair at UCL, he built an exceptional reputation in complex cancer surgery as a Senior Lecturer in Uro-Oncology at the University of Cambridge and Consultant Urologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.Throughout his academic career, he has been honoured with numerous prestigious distinctions, including The Professor Geoffrey D. Chisholm Prize, The Calvert Medal, and The Ethicon Foundation Prize.