- Working with COVID-19 Virus – An Update
- Queen’s-led research wins highly commended award at major UK data conference
- Sequencing of SARS-CoV2 – Uncovering an ever-changing virus
- Queen’s awarded funding to conduct COVID-19 rapid testing trial
- New study to identify highest risk factors for COVID-19
- Researchers highlight the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with cancer
- National clinical trial to treat hospitalised patients with COVID-19
- Queen’s leading cell therapy clinical trial to help improve outcomes in COVID-19 patients
- New research alliance to seek new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches
- Working to find a treatment through drug screening
- Innovative research to fight respiratory disease
Queen’s-led research wins highly commended award at major UK data conference
Research led by Prof Mark Lawler, Chair in Translational Cancer Genomics and Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast received a highly commended award in the Impact of the Year category at this year’s Health Data Research UK’s One Institute Virtual Conference.
The research, which focussed on the direct and indirect effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on cancer services and cancer patients in the United Kingdom (UK) highlighted for the first time how the repurposing of health services to ensure sufficient infection control during the pandemic has inadvertently compromised cancer care for citizens and patients, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment and increased risk of excess mortality in patients with cancer.
The research, which was also chosen as a case study by Health Data Research UK, employed a combination of near real time data and extensive modelling to delineate the adverse effects of the pandemic on cancer patients and their care. Prof Lawler was also invited to write an opinion piece on the work for Health Data Research UK.
The research has had significant impact by both highlighting a significant health issue across the UK and supporting the reopening/refocussing of cancer services. It was widely praised by patient advocacy groups, was recommended by national organisations such as the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries and had over 14,000 hits on ResearchGate, emphasising its relevance to the research community.
Read the case study: Delineating the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with cancer and cancer services
Read the opinion piece: COVID-19, Cancer and Comorbidities: A Deadly Triumvirate