(L-R) Mary Chris Ponder, Vice President, Clinical Services at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Health Minister for Northern Ireland Mike Nesbitt; Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast and Co-Lead of the All-Island Cancer Research Institute; and Brinder Singh, Chief Operating Officer at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre

A delegation from Northern Ireland celebrated a unique transatlantic partnership that has transformed cancer research and care on the island of Ireland, while also benefitting the US.

The delegation was led by Queen’s University Belfast cancer expert Professor Mark Lawler and included Health Minister for Northern Ireland Mike Nesbitt.

The event celebrated over 25 years of enhanced cancer research quantity and quality between researchers across the island of Ireland with premier institutions in the US, leading to improved cancer outcomes for patients.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast and Co-Lead of the All-Island Cancer Research Institute, highlighted the tremendous value of US/Island of Ireland cooperation in cancer research and emphasised the critical role of data in delivering both health and economic benefits for both regions.

He said: “The island of Ireland punches above its weight in cancer research, meaning that the partnerships that have been created over the past 25 years are robust and productive, underpinning both diagnostic and therapeutic innovation.

“US, Ireland and Northern Ireland researchers all benefit from working together and delivering collective value. And our digital transformation in Northern Ireland, through the encompass programme, allied to our world-renowned expertise in cybersecurity, AI and data science, positions us to deliver pragmatic solutions to one of the greatest challenges in human health.”

Since these partnerships began, there has been a 550% increase in the quality of research being performed between Northern Ireland, Ireland and the US. The partnership has also boosted the oncology and digital health industry, with the potential for an expansion of the sector by 340% by 2032, yielding a significant economic benefit for both the US and the island of Ireland.

Following his visit, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, said: “The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre provides a blueprint for what can be achieved in Northern Ireland. I am heartened to see that much of what we do in clinical and translational research is of the very highest quality, positioning us well to deliver comprehensive cancer care for the people of Northern Ireland.

“Our world-class academics and universities continue to drive cutting-edge research, improving outcomes for patients now and in the future. Cancer knows no borders and this collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence in cancer care.

“I also took the opportunity to visit their large Emergency Department, part of a new $800 million facility and was saddened to see the hospital has the same daily issue of corridor care that we experience at home.”

Featured Expert

Media

Media inquiries to Sian Devlin at s.devlin@qub.ac.uk