Dr Janine Erler from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has been named as one of the UK's most impressive professional women.

Dr Erler was chosen in the pioneer category of the Red's Hot Women Awards, in association with euphoria Calvin Klein, recognising her as "a trailblazer who has made an astonishing breakthrough in her field".

Dr Erler was selected by a panel of judges including Sarah Brown, television industry executive Elisabeth Murdoch, internet entrepreneurs Martha Lane Fox and Natalie Massenet, vice-chairman of West Ham and star of BBC's The Apprentice Karren Brady and Red magazine editor-in-chief Sam Baker. The award was presented at a ceremony at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Dr Erler and her team have had much success identifying biological factors that control metastasis, the spread of cancer around the body that is responsible for 90 per cent of cancer-related deaths. Her recent significant research includes the finding that the enzyme LOX is a key player in metastasis and is a potential target for new cancer treatments.

Professor Richard Marais from the ICR's Section of Cell and Molecular Biology, which includes Dr Erler's Hypoxia and Metastasis Team, says: "Dr Erler's work has the potential to help thousands of people with cancer, and we are very pleased her achievements have been recognised."