Great to see education mentioned.
Supporting &training the next generation of trialists is vital if we want to keep running impactful clinical trials in the UK.
There are lots of training opportunities being run across the Network tinyurl.com/mueyhau7
#UKCTUNetwork #ProudestOf #ClinicalResearch
A card with a quote from Jem. It reads “The thing I’m proudest of about the unit’s work is the dedication and hard work that goes into innovation and improving how clinical trials are conducted. Striving to make trial conduct more efficient benefits everyone, especially trial participants and patients who may benefit from treatments in the future. In my own work, I am most proud of my contribution to education. The students we teach are the trialists of the future. I think that having the opportunity to learn from specialists in the field is inspiring. I am always learning!”
It’s Wednesday, and we’re back with another #ProudestOf moment from the Unit!
This week, we celebrate Jemima Thomson, Research Fellow and proud member of the ICTM Education team.
We asked Jem what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit. Here’s what she shared 👇
What an amazing set of studies to have worked on - and what a fabulous legacy!
#ProudestOf #ProstateCancer #UKCTUNetwork
A card with a quote from Louise, it reads "Over my 14 years here, I’ve been lucky enough to work on some fantastic innovative trials such as FOCUS4 and the STAMPEDE 1 and 2 trials, but I think my proudest achievement is completing the PROMIS study, which transformed the diagnostic pathway for men with suspected prostate cancer. It was a challenging study, involving complex blinding arrangements for the diagnostic tests, but we pulled it off, and it became the primary source of evidence used by NICE to introduce MRI scans into the diagnostic pathway. This now spares many men unnecessary biopsies and treatments. I will be retiring in May, and I feel so grateful for the opportunity to work on such varied and innovative studies with so many fabulous people. Keep up the great work!"
It’s time for another #ProudestOf Wednesday!
This week we’re celebrating Lou Brown, who’s been with the Unit for 14 years and will retire in May. We asked her what she’s #ProudestOf from her time working on innovative cancer trials.
Thank you for everything, Lou — and happy retirement! 🎉
Improving outcomes for patients is what it's all about and we love to see it!
#ProudestOf #UKCTUNetwork #STAMPEDE
A card with a quote from Laura. It reads “I’m most proud of my contribution to the STAMPEDE prostate cancer trial. The highlight for me was leading the rapid, complex analysis of the abiraterone treatment arms in men whose cancer had not yet spread. Working closely with experts across the trial, we showed that abiraterone almost halves the risk of the cancer spreading in this group. Now that the drug is off‑patent and affordable, the NHS has finally approved its use for these patients in England. That decision will save an estimated 3,000 lives over the next five years, and knowing our work helped make that possible is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Wednesday’s here, and so is our latest #ProudestOf moment!
This week, we’re spotlighting Laura Murphy, one of our Medical Statisticians.
We asked Laura what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Angus. It reads “I am proud of the Unit’s commitment to advancing impactful medical research that centers on historically under-researched groups, including paediatric populations and people living in low- and middle-income countries."
Midweek already? Let’s celebrate another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant team at the Unit!
Today’s spotlight goes to Angus Jennings, one of our Medical Statisticians.
We asked Angus what he’s proudest of from the Unit’s work 👇
It's great to hear about all the work that goes on behind the scenes!
Great job, Nav!
#ProudestOf #UKCTUNetwork
Alt text: A card with a quote from Nav Kaur. It reads “I am proudest of the Unit’s success in securing the MRC Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) award. It was an intense and demanding process, but one that truly demonstrated the strength, resilience, and collaborative spirit of our Unit. I supported the logistics and operations alongside our Unit Manager, helping to coordinate and deliver what was a complex and time-pressured bid. Winning the award was not only a recognition of our scientific excellence but also created an exciting opportunity to innovate, expand our work in clinical trials, and generate new jobs across the field. To know that my efforts played a role in enabling such a transformative achievement for the Unit - and for science more broadly - is something I feel deeply proud of.”
It’s Wednesday, and we’re back with another #ProudestOf moment from the Unit!
This week, we celebrate Nav Kaur (sikhmum.bsky.social), Executive Assistant to Prof Max Parmar.
We asked Nav what she’s #ProudestOf from the Unit’s work.
That’s what she shared 👇
We're really proud to work with so many people committed to improving outcomes for patients.
#UKCTUNetwork #Proudestof #ClinicalResearch
A card with a quote from Annabelle South, it reads “The thing I’m proudest of from the Unit’s work is the commitment of some of my colleagues to ensure that the research they do makes things better for patients and communities in the real world. Highlights include improvements in treatment of children living with HIV, treatment of prostate cancer and HIV prevention for men who have sex with men in the UK. People are living longer, healthier lives because of our work. This translation of science into policy and practice doesn’t happen automatically – it requires lots of work, skill and persistence.”
Let’s brighten up your Wednesday with another #ProudestOf moment from our fantastic team at the Unit!
This week, our Principal Research Fellow for Research Impact & Communication, Annabelle South (annabellesouth.bsky.social), tells us what she is #ProudestOf from the Unit’s work 👇
Always blown away by how committed trial teams are.
Knowing you're all working towards better outcomes for patients really does keep you focused!
#ProudestOf #UKCTUNetwork #ClinicalTrials
A card with a quote from Denise, it reads “The thing I am proudest of from the Unit’s work is its dedication to finding new ways to help people live longer, healthier lives, and to make treatments kinder and more effective. I’m also incredibly proud of the enthusiastic and engaged research teams that we work with; it’s their hard work as well as ours that makes the clinical trials we manage as impactful as they are.”
It’s time for another #ProudestOf Wednesday!
#ClinicalTrials are a true team effort, and every week we’re spotlighting the people who make them possible.
This week, we asked Denise Ward, one of our Clinical Trial Managers, what she’s #ProudestOf from the Unit’s work 👇
There are so many inspirational women across the Network.
We're proud to work with you all!
#ProudestOf #WomenInScience #UKCTUNetwork
A card from Anna, it reads: "I'm very proud to have played a part in supporting clinical trials at the unit across several exciting areas. I supported UKCTOCS, the largest ovarian cancer trial to date. I also helped set up a worldwide hub providing resources and training for those working in clinical trials worldwide. Now I'm working in a new Clinical Trials Centre of Research Excellence, looking into new ways to design and deliver clinical trials of new medicines. It's a real privilege to have worked with the most inspirational and dedicated people, and I've learnt so much!"
It’s Wednesday, and also the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! ✨🧪
Today’s #ProudestOf spotlight goes to one of the exceptional women in the Unit, Anna Widdup, our Programme Support Officer.
Here’s what Anna is #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
Such important work.
Building capacity is absolutely critical to our ability to continue to undertake high-quality research that improves patient outcomes!
#UKCTUNetwork #ProudestOf
A card with a quote from Kate, it reads “The thing I’m proudest of in my own work at the Unit is leading the development of the MRC CTU at UCL Capacity Strengthening Hub. Since its launch in January 2023, there have been almost 17,000 visitors, 48,000 views, and over 3,000 downloads. 11 webinars have been held with over 4,000 attendees. The LMIC Mentoring Scheme (through the Hub) was launched on 30 January 2024, and to date, 68 people have been matched with mentors.”
Midweek already? Let’s celebrate another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant team at the Unit!
This week, we’re hearing from Kate Sturgeon, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and Capacity Strengthening Coordinator.
She reflects on what she’s #ProudestOf in her own work at the Unit👇
Alt text: A card with a quote from Larry. It reads “The thing I am proudest of my work at the unit is helping launch STAMPEDE2. When I joined the Unit over four years ago, I started as a data manager on STAMPEDE, a well-established trial with clear processes and plenty of guidance. Moving to STAMPEDE2 was a completely different challenge: it hadn’t launched yet, so much had to be built from scratch. Being part of the team that got it up and running, and seeing our website come to life, is something I’m especially proud of.”
After a little break, we are back with more #ProudestOf moments from colleagues across the Unit!
This week, we’re spotlighting Larry Evans, one of our dedicated data managers on #STAMPEDE2.
We asked Larry what was #ProudestOf his own work at the Unit 👇
Always great to hear from Lindsey!
We love having her as the Deputy Chair of our Data & IS Operations Group (DISOG).
You can find some of the guidance DISOG have brought out here: ukcrc-ctu.org.uk/is-data-mana...
#UKCTUNetwork #ProudestOf
A card with a quote from Lindsey. It reads “I’m really proud of the Data Management Systems team and how they’ve delivered such high-quality work throughout what’s been a challenging year. Implementing a new development process alongside our day-to-day delivery of trial database systems added an extra layer of complexity, but the team has continued to show enthusiasm and resilience in taking on new challenges and exploring new ways of working.”
Let’s brighten up your Wednesday with another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant colleagues at the Unit.
This week, we are celebrating Lindsey Masters (@lkmasters.bsky.social), Head of Data Management Systems.
We asked Lindsey what she was #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
The "team science" approach is so important.
It reminds me of this quote from Kerry Hood.
#UKCTUNetwork #TeamScience #ProudestOf
A card with a quote from Hanif. It reads “I am proud to work with a fantastic multidisciplinary team of colleagues at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL. Clinicians, statisticians and trial and data management specialists, all deeply committed to designing and delivering innovative, high-impact trials in tuberculosis—still the world’s leading cause of death from an infectious disease. We are helping to carry forward and advance the MRC’s 80-year legacy in this important area of global health.”
Wednesdays are our #ProudestOf days at the Unit!
This week, we are spotlighting Hanif Esmail, Professor of Infectious Diseases.
We asked Hanif what he was #ProudestOf in his work at the Unit 👇
Animation is a wonderful way to share often complex information in a way that people can understand.
Far better than lots of technical/scientific jargon in many cases!
#UKCTUNetwork #ClinicalTrials #PPI #ProudestOf
A card with a quote from Charlotte. It reads “The thing I am proudest of in my own work at the Unit is working with a team of methodologists and PPI reps to develop an animation about estimands and why using the estimand framework can lead to better treatment decisions. This can be a difficult concept for non-experts, and a lot of the content was unfamiliar to me. I am proud that we managed to explain it in an accessible way using the example of a mental health trial. I am also proud of the animation skills I developed to produce the video. The video has since been shared on social media and used in presentations and has received very positive feedback so far."
Wednesday is our #ProudestOf day at the Unit!
This week, we are featuring Charlotte Hartley, former Science Communications Officer at the Unit.
We asked Charlotte what she was #ProudestOf during her time with us 👇
A card with a quote from Peter Godolphin. It reads “I am proudest of our role in helping to determine which treatments work best for people with advanced prostate cancer, and for developing new statistical methods that have helped us to achieve this. These statistical methods are now being used by many other researchers across multiple clinical areas and our results in prostate cancer have been incorporated into several clinical guidelines worldwide, helping to improve the lives of men with advanced prostate cancer.”
Feeling that Wednesday pride? We sure are!
Check out our latest #ProudestOf moment from Peter Godolphin. He is a Senior Research Fellow working on meta-analysis #methodology.
Here’s what Peter is #ProudestOf from his work at the Unit 👇
I think people often underestimate what a long, hard slog a clinical trial can be!
The commitment of everyone involved - from participants to trialists - is phenomenal!
#UKCTUNetwork #ClinicalTrials #ProudestOf
A card with a quote from Elena Frangou. It reads “My proudest achievement is staying committed to the RAMPART trial through its toughest moments. We had to withdraw abstracts because the data wasn’t complete enough to support the primary outcome. That was hard. But we didn’t give up, we focused on improving the quality of the data and kept the team motivated. It was a long and intense process, especially working through the analysis plans and subgroup calculations, but it was rewarding. Presenting our findings at ESMO this year and receiving such positive feedback reminded me why all the effort was worth it. Seeing the results come together was the best ultimate win!”
It’s Wednesday, time to share what we’re #ProudestOf!
Today, we celebrate Elena Frangou, one of our Senior Research Fellows and one of the statisticians in the RAMPART #ClinicalTrial.
We asked Elena what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Sharon. It reads: “Clinical trials are the best way to assess interventions. I’m proud that, for the first time, we have brought together people carrying out clinical trial monitoring in the UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Units. This group discusses issues in quarterly national clinics; shares tools developed to improve clinical trial monitoring in an annual national meeting and works together to improve clinical trial monitoring. This structure and the disseminated tools are helping to strengthen the quality and consistency of trial monitoring across the UK. It’s a fantastic step forward for improving trial and data integrity.”
Wednesday’s here, and so is our latest #ProudestOf moment!
This week, we’re celebrating Sharon Love, Associate Professor of Clinical Trial Conduct, who leads the methodology conduct work at the Unit.
We asked Sharon what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
Having a strong team and peer support is so important!
Really loving these #ProudestOf posts.
#ClinicalTrials #UKCTUNetwork
A card with a quote from Ilaria Motta. It reads “The thing I’m proudest of from working in our Unit is the incredible motivation and teamwork that drive the PARADIGM4TB trial. It’s an ambitious and innovative study investigating new drugs that could potentially shorten treatment for tuberculosis — a goal that could make a huge difference for patients worldwide. Working on such a large, complex trial is like running a marathon: there are ups and downs along the way, but the collaboration within our Unit and with teams around the world keeps us moving forward. Everyone plays their part, and every small victory is worth celebrating as we work together toward something truly impactful.”
Wednesday already? Let’s celebrate another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant team at the Unit!
This week, we’re spotlighting Ilaria Motta, one of our passionate Principal Clinical Research Fellows working on tuberculosis #TB.
We asked Ilaria what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit👇
