GOSH researcher and patient featured on TIME100 Health list
16 Feb 2026, 10:30 a.m.
Professor Waseem Qasim and seventeen-year-old Alyssa have been added to the 2026 TIME100 Health List of the world’s 100 most influential leaders in health.
About Professor Qasim
Professor Qasim treats children and young people at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in his role as a Consultant Immunologist.
He’s also a Professor of Cell and Gene Therapy at GOSH’s research partner, the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.
In this research role, Professor Qasim and his team develop new ways to use the body’s immune system to treat children with a range of conditions, including cancer.
In 2022, Professor Qasim’s work led to a world first. His team developed a new gene editing technique to treat previously incurable childhood leukaemia.
This technique is called base editing. It involves changing the DNA of immune cells – whose role is to fight infection - so that they can recognise and destroy cancer cells.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) funded the early development of this base editing technique and has since supported a clinical trial that brings it to patients.
"I feel incredibly privileged to be included in TIME's health list this year, but this is really down to the work of the amazingly dedicated teams that pull together to find new ways to help patients. I want to extend a huge congratulations to Alyssa, too, who has also been named in the list. We couldn’t do the work we do without people like her. They put their trust and faith in us to push the boundaries of science when they know there is no guarantee of success. Our thoughts are also with all the families who are not as fortunate and are looking to science to offer them hope for the future - we know there's more work to be done."
About Alyssa
Alyssa was the first person in the world to receive a base-edited cell therapy at GOSH in 2022. Alyssa was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2021 and didn’t respond to standard treatment.
She was discussing the option of palliative care with her family when Professor Qasim’s trial at GOSH offered a new option.
Alyssa was the first patient on this groundbreaking trial, and she remains leukaemia-free today.
She's gone on to be a powerful advocate for childhood cancer research, including extensive media appearances including live television and radio.
Alyssa spoke at the GOSH Charity Clay Shoot in September 2025. Her speech was really powerful, sharing first-hand the impact of childhood cancer on her family. Alyssa also explained her decision to take part in a world-first clinical trial.
She played a vital role in encouraging donations on the day, which raised an incredible £1.1 million for the Children's Cancer Centre. She’s now planning a career in the NHS, inspired by her time at GOSH.
"It was four years ago when I first met Professor Qasim and his amazing team, I am so thankful to be here and honoured to be named one of the TIME Top 100 Health Influencers. This moment is not just about me, but belongs to every person who has supported and encouraged me on my journey."
Find out more
The full list and related tributes appear in the 2/23 issue, available to purchase, and now on the TIME website.
