Eight mid-career researchers identified as having the potential to become future translational research leaders have been appointed as the next cohort of NIHR Oxford Senior Research Fellows.
The selection process was a coordinated effort by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the NIHR Oxford Health BRC.
The Senior Fellowship scheme, which was launched in 2019, recognises and supports mid-career individuals with the potential and trajectory to become future leaders in translational research in the NIHR in Oxford.
Fellows will receive an award of £5,000 a year for two years that can be used flexibly to facilitate their translational research programme and career development, for example on travel costs for research activities, attending conferences or career development and leadership training.
They will also attend a leadership programme, which is being facilitated by Milly Sinclair Associates, who organised a Women in Leadership training course for the Oxford BRC’s Cardiovascular Theme.
The Oxford BRC Director, Helen McShane, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of the successful candidates on achieving what has proven to be a crucial stepping stone for previous fellows. This new cohort has already demonstrated significant professional achievement, the potential for leadership and evidence of high-quality research that promises to have positive impact for patients.
“In the BRC, we support career development at all levels, and this fellowship is a very important scheme for us. It identifies the translational research leaders of the future and equips them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to move forward in their careers.”
The successful applicants were:
From the Oxford BRC:
Dr Alexander Mentzer, Senior Clinical Researcher, Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine; Alex’s research focuses on using human genetics to understand what makes individuals more susceptible to infection and how we can use this information to improve public health.
Dr Emily Fraser,Consultant in Respiratory Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals; Emily leads OUH’s Breathlessness and Integrated Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue services; her research focuses on interstitial lung abnormalities and unexplained breathlessness.
Rubeta Matin, Dermatology Consultant at OUH andHonorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Dermatology at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine; Rubeta is Oxford Research Lead for Dermatology Skin Cancer Clinical Trials, and her research focuses on skin cancer and artificial intelligence.
Dr Sarah Gooding, Cancer Research UK Clinician Scientist based at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; Sarah’s research is focused on the genetics and biology of the highest-risk cases of the incurable bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma, and finding better ways to identify and treat it.
Dr Sarah Vollam, Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher, in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences; Sarah’s research focuses on the use of wearables to enhance patient recovery after critical care.
From Oxford Health BRC:
Alex Lau-Zhu, MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow, Department of Experimental Psychology; Alex’s main research focus is on promoting youth mental health.
Felicity Waite, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology; the focus of Felicity’s work is to interventions for people experiencing distressing delusions and hallucinations, including young people at risk of psychosis.
Adam Al-Diwani, Senior Clinical Researcher, department of Psychiatry; Adam’s research focuses on the interface of neuropsychiatry and neuroimmunology.