'Newcastle upon Tyne again played host to our 4th Annual Research Symposium on February 19th-20th, 2024. Unlike the previous year, attendees were spared the travel challenges posed by snowy weather, although train strikes and metro closures did try to thwart the journeys of some delegates!
The conference kicked off with an enlightening talk by Dr Raj Jenner, delving into the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in oncology. Dr Jenner's presentation shed light on the promising intersection of technology and healthcare, offering a glimpse into the future of cancer research and treatment.
Following this engaging start, Professor Ruth Plummer took the stage to share her extensive expertise in clinical trials. Prof. Plummer provided valuable insights into the world of clinical research and shared personal anecdotes from her illustrious career, leaving the audience inspired her demonstration of the true impact research can have on clinical practice.
A thought-provoking session by Dr Clare Hardy then addressed a crucial aspect of research often overlooked – burnout. Dr Hardy's humbling presentation offered a candid discussion on the challenges researchers face and the toll it can take on their mental well-being. She also provided practical self-help tips, reminding attendees of the importance of mental health in the research community.
The afternoon session featured a series of excellent oral presentations, showcasing the outstanding projects led by trainees. The spotlight then shifted to our collaborators, and Dr Tom Roques joined us virtually to speak enthusiastically about what it means to be a Clinical Oncologist and why one should join the specialty. The Early Career Researchers in Cancer (ECRC) in the gap left by the NCRI, introducing us to what their organisation has to offer and how to get involved, and our chair, Dr Mary Denholm filled us in with updates from the Future Global Cancer Leaders and the IOCN.
We then received some exciting updates about NOTCH’s ongoing HNSCCUP, ChILI and DeACT studies, and the action-packed first day was brought to a close with some networking drinks, where a wonderful spectrum of junior and senior trainees as well as our eminent speakers got together over a glass of champagne (or two) to discuss the successes of cancer research and the challenges we face in the years to come.
The second day unfolded with a captivating start, featuring an interactive and engaging Q&A session where the esteemed Professor Ananya Choudhury, using her usual pragmatism, insight, passion and humour, took a vast array of questions from the audience using an interactive IT platform. Below is the Slido Cloud created from the Q&A session.
Following this, Professor Fairve-Finn took the spotlight to deliver a detailed, enlightening, and informative talk on real-world data, focussing on its impactful application in addressing the most challenging research questions, and how it can be used to compliment the traditional research methods of randomised controlled trials.
Dr Ben Hood, accompanied by two patient representatives, then guided the audience through the critical importance of patient and public engagement. This session emphasized the collaborative nature of effective research, highlighting the invaluable role that patient perspectives play in shaping the direction of research.
The symposium reached its conclusion with an engaging session led by Dr Louise Carter joined by a trainee panel. The interactive discussion delved into the various pathways to becoming a clinical researcher, providing valuable insights for aspiring researchers and fostering a sense of mentorship and camaraderie among attendees.
Despite the challenges posed by strikes, study budgets, exams, and travel, the 4th symposium felt to me as one of our best yet. The quality of the presentations, the eminence of the speakers, the level of delegate engagement, and the enthusiasm of all involved left me truly inspired. We are grateful to all those who attended, and to RCR and our sponsors for helping it happen, and we cannot wait for number 5, wherever that may be!'
Dr Jonathan Helbrow
NOTCH Communications Officer
