National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded 7 researchers with a five-year grant of up to £2 million

The National Institute for Health and Care Research has announced its newest group of exceptional researchers who have been awarded the title of NIHR Research Professors.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is an organization in the UK dedicated to improving health and care through research. It funds, supports, and conducts health and social care research, ensuring that the findings are translated into practice to benefit patients and the public. The NIHR plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration between researchers, healthcare providers, and patients, aiming to enhance the quality of care and outcomes across various health domains.

These individuals are set to lead research initiatives that will positively influence the health and care sectors in the UK.

New NIHR Research Professors

The new cohort of awardees are:

• Professor Emma Crosbie, The University of Manchester. Her research topic is: PREDICT-EC: A risk prediction tool to streamline diagnostic pathways for suspected endometrial cancer
• Dr Naureen Starling, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Her research topic is: Liquid Biopsies to Transform the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gut Cancers
• Professor Michael Marks, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. His research topic is: Unravelling the mystery of Treponema pallidum: Novel insights in to syphilis to accelerate development of effective and accessible syphilis control strategies
• Dr Laura Coates, University of Oxford. Her research topic is: Novel digital trials for inflammatory arthritis optimising management within the National Health Service
• Professor Andrew Clegg, University of Leeds. His research topic is: Maximising independence for older people across community and hospital settings
• Professor Mona Bafadhel, King’s College London. Her research topic is: Clinical risk prediction models in COPD exacerbations
• Professor Lorna Fraser, King’s College London. Her research topic is: Improving Care for children with life-limiting Conditions: developing, adapting, impLementing and Evaluating interventions (ICICLE)

The NIHR Research Professorships program is designed to nurture future research leaders, providing each professor with a five-year grant of up to £2 million.

This funding covers three support positions, research expenses, and access to a leadership development program.The initiative aims to enhance leadership in health, public health, and care research. Previous recipients of the NIHR Research Professorships have made substantial contributions that have led to improvements in patient care.

Emma Crosbie

Research: PREDICT-EC: A risk prediction tool to streamline diagnostic pathways for suspected endometrial cancer

Emma Crosbie is a Professor of Gynaecological Oncology at the University of Manchester, with a strong focus on the screening, prevention, and early detection of gynaecological cancers. Emma Crosbie is Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Co-Theme Lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Honorary Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), Her research also emphasizes the development of innovative treatments and interventions for women already diagnosed with these diseases.

“I am delighted and honoured to receive this Research Professorship from the NIHR, and I look forward to dedicating my time over the next five years to developing and refining this important research question, which has the potential to benefit thousands of women across the country every year,” – said Professor Crosbie

Naureen Starling

Research: Liquid Biopsies to Transform the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gut Cancers

Dr. Naureen Starling is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, specializing in gastrointestinal cancers. She is also the Associate Director of Clinical Research, Director of the Clinical Trials Unit, and a Reader at the Institute of Cancer Research. After graduating with first-class honours from University College London, Dr. Starling trained in Medical Oncology at The Royal Marsden.

Her research focuses on early-phase clinical trials, novel therapeutics, and personalized medicine for GI cancers. She leads multiple international clinical trials and is involved in several research collaborations, including those on liquid biopsies and personalized cancer care. Dr. Starling has contributed to NICE guidelines, international cancer conferences, and clinical research committees. She is also dedicated to training future oncologists and advocates for patient involvement in cancer care.

Michael Marks 

Research: Unravelling the mystery of Treponema pallidum: Novel insights in to syphilis to accelerate development of effective and accessible syphilis control strategies

Dr. Michael Marks is an Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and an Honorary Consultant at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital. His PhD, funded by the Wellcome Trust, focused on the impact of azithromycin mass administration on treponemal infections, as part of efforts to eliminate yaws in the Solomon Islands.

This research included disease mapping and evaluating diagnostic tests. Dr. Marks was also awarded a small grant from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH).

Laura Coates

Research: Novel digital trials for inflammatory arthritis optimising management within the National Health Service

Laura Coates is an Associate Professor and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritides, exploring innovative digital trials to optimize their management within the National Health Service. She works to improve early diagnosis, develop validated PsA-specific outcome measures, and refine treatment strategies to enhance patient care.

Andrew Clegg

Research: Maximising independence for older people across community and hospital settings

Andrew Clegg is a Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Leeds and an Honorary Consultant Geriatrician at Bradford Royal Infirmary. He also serves as Co-Director for Health Data Research UK North. His research focuses on maximizing independence for older adults in community and hospital settings, with expertise in clinical trials, prognostic modeling, applied epidemiology, and evidence synthesis.

Mona Bafadhel

Research: Clinical risk prediction models in COPD exacerbations

Mona Bafadhel is the Director of the King’s Centre for Lung Health, Chair of Respiratory Medicine, and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at King’s College London. She is also a consultant respiratory physician. Mona Bafadhel’s research focuses on understanding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly the role of eosinophils during exacerbations. Her work aims to develop targeted therapies that deliver the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.

Lorna Fraser

Research: Improving Care for children with life-limiting Conditions: developing, adapting, impLementing and Evaluating interventions (ICICLE)

Professor Lorna Fraser MBChB, MRCPCH, MSc, MMedSci, PhD is Associate Dean (People and Talent) and Professor of Palliative Care and Child Health at King’s College London, where she joined in November 2022. With a background in clinical paediatrics, her research focuses on children and young people, particularly those with life-limiting conditions.

She was the founding director of the Martin House Research Centre, a multidisciplinary hub for research on the care and support of children with life-limiting conditions, their families, and the healthcare workforce. Professor Fraser has secured significant funding, including two NIHR fellowships, and her work aims to use routine data to drive policy change and tackle healthcare inequalities. Her research has influenced national service specifications, children’s palliative care funding, and COVID-19 vaccine prioritisation for children.

Recognizing Excellence in Research

Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy who serves on the NIHR Board as Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities, said:

“I am delighted to welcome the latest group of researchers as NIHR Research Professors. These outstanding individuals will play a key role in the research community and I look forward to seeing the positive impact their research will make to the public. As a previous NIHR Research Professor, I know the difference and impact that this scheme can make, not only to develop research that can change lives but also to transform a researcher’s career.”

Miss Toli Onon, Joint Group Chief Medical Officer at MFT, said:

“It is fantastic to see Emma’s huge contributions to gynaecological cancer research being recognised with this prestigious award. I am very proud that MFT has so many leading researchers, like Emma, who are committed to finding new ways to improve care for our patients and transform clinical practice. This award is very well-deserved, and I would like to wish Professor Crosbie the best of luck with her research. The NIHR Research Professorships scheme funds and supports research leaders of the future. It aims to strengthen and benefit health, public health and care research leadership.”

Professor Anne Barton, Director of the NIHR Manchester BRC, said:

“Huge congratulations to Emma on behalf of everyone at Manchester BRC on this outstanding achievement. For Emma’s work to have been recognised with such a prestigious award is incredible, and could potentially have a tremendous impact in helping to improve patient care for endometrial cancer. This year, seven leading researchers will receive five-year awards of up to £2 million. Since 2011, 73 people have been successful in gaining the competitive award. Many have gone on to become senior research leaders, including Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care.”

Professor Lucy Chappell said:

“The NIHR Research Professorship is one of our most prestigious career awards. The award funds outstanding researchers to help address the major health and care issues of today and in the future, strengthening health, public health and care research leadership at the highest academic levels. I congratulate this cohort and look forward to seeing the impact their research will have on people and communities.”

Further Reading:

ICR Receives new NIHR Funding to Enhance Prostate Cancer Detection