Inspiring Talks, Insights, and Prizes at #TranslationMCR23

Hosted by Translation Manchester, and funded by Wellcome’s Translational Partnership Award, Translational Research at Manchester
2023 event was held on the 13^th of September. The day brought together over 100 people including translational researchers with inspiring career journeys, experts, early career researchers and professional support staff. Together we explored the world of translational research and how the university can help early career researchers (ECRs) drive innovations forward for the benefit of patients and society.

Unlocking the Power of Translational Research

The event kicked off with a powerful message: translational research is the key to unlocking innovations that can transform healthcare outcomes.

Prof Nigel Hooper described how Translation Manchester can help unlock these innovations. Attendees were reminded that this journey is not easy, with one of the main challenges being obtaining translational research funding. Dr Sam Butterworth provided valuable insights and tips on successfully navigating this unique funding landscape. While Emma Hatton and Lauren Breen from the impact teams shared how important being able to identify the potential impact of your research is for applying for this funding. Professor Jo Dumville from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) provided some examples of impact generated by researchers within the ARC.

The Power of Teamwork

Collaboration is at the heart of translational research. A dedicated team of experts is essential for success, and the workshop on Team Research highlighted the benefits of working collaboratively (as well as making us all get up and ‘shake’). After all, complex challenges cannot be tackled in isolation. And here is a short message from our colleagues at Team Research:

Our Translational Research Future

On the day we had 27 posters from our up and coming translational researchers from across the university and local NHS trusts. The buzz in the poster room over the lunch break certainly showed the there is a lot of great translational research going on here at the university.

The importance of academic: industry collaborations for innovations

Chris Hepworth from the FBMH business engagement team highlighted the importance of engaging with industry in order to drive innovations towards a healthcare outcome and what the university can do to help academics. Richard Unwin and Aline Miller then gave great overviews of how their interactions with industry and the University of Manchester Innovation Factory led to the development of successful spin out companies for their innovations. We also heard directly from the Innovation Factory, with Joanna Denbigh giving a great overview of how the University tech transfer office can help in this process as well as exploiting the intellectual property generated by University staff and students.

Diverse Pathways to Impact

Translational research can lead to a myriad of outcomes, and it’s not just about generating intellectual property and launching startups. In sessions 1 and 4 Dr Wendy Thompson and Professor Jo Dumville shared how innovations can make a significant impact on patients’ lives by influencing guidelines, practices, and advice.

Inspirational Keynotes and Presentations

Throughout the day, attendees were treated to inspirational talks and presentations from successful translational researchers. Keynote speakers, including Prof. Petra Hamerlik (opening keynote) and Prof. Rachel Lennon (closing keynote), shared their translational research journeys, provided plenty of advice for our up and coming researchers, and showcased both the highs and lows and the incredible benefits it can provide.

Recognizing Excellence

The event also celebrated excellence in our community of ECRs in translational research with a prize-giving ceremony where awards were presented by Prof Luke Georghiou (Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor). Congratulations to the winners:

• Best PDRA Poster Prize: Abigail Pienaar (SHS)
• Best PhD Poster Prize: Tadpong Tantipanjaporn (SHS)
• People’s Choice Poster Prize: Rinal Sahputra (SBS)
• Travel Award (£1000): Conrado Guerrero Quiles (SMS)

These awards recognize outstanding contributions and research in the field of translational research.

A Bright Future for Translational Research

Thank you to all the speakers, organizers, and attendees for making this event a resounding success. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future through the power of translational research.

Full event photo gallery below

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