They will conduct research that will benefit people throughout the UK.
The award winners are:
- Professor Tze Min Wah
- Dr Richard Parker
- Dr Bashar Al-Qaisieh
- Dr James Briggs
- Dr Carole Burnett
- Mr Jeya Palan
- Professor Helena Marzo-Ortega
- Dr Sue Hartup
The NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award is a personal research training award aimed at supporting individuals who require time for research activities within their current clinical or practitioner role.
Professor Tze Min Wah, Professor of Interventional Radiology, said: “This successful NIHR SCPRA news is truly an ‘awesome’ moment. I have waited my entire career for this dream to come true after decades of personal sacrifices and hard work.”
Dr Richard Parker, Consultant Hepatologist, emphasised the importance of his research focus on alcohol-related liver disease, a prevalent yet under-researched area, particularly in the North of England.
Dr Bashar Al-Qaisieh, Lead for Research & Innovation and Radiotherapy, outlined his aspirations to become a national and international leader in radiotherapy physics, aiming to integrate advanced technology into clinical practice within the NHS.
Dr James Briggs, Lead Consultant Neuropsychologist, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity the SCPRA award provides to focus on researching ways to improve patient care following acquired brain injury.
Dr Carole Burnett, Lead Research and Innovation Radiographer, highlighted her excitement to advance the radiotherapy PREHABS project, aiming to improve the quality of life for lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Mr Jeya Palan, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, expressed his honor and enthusiasm for the opportunity to develop research on the role of assistive technology in improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery in collaboration with the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Musculoskeletal (MSK) unit and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM).
Professor Helena Marzo-Ortega, Consultant Rheumatologist, outlined her plans to coordinate a large program to identify biomarkers of immune-mediated inflammatory disease progression in people with psoriasis, aiming to improve healthcare delivery. This program is part of the Leeds BRC MSK prevention mission.
Dr Sue Hartup, Nurse Research Fellow in breast oncology, shared her excitement to develop as a breast cancer research leader, focusing on using web-based interventions to improve patient outcomes.
This award recognises the exceptional talent and dedication of these researchers and underscores Leeds Teaching Hospitals’ commitment to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge research and innovation.