News

Trust staff win coveted fellowships - 02 November 2009

Staff at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust have won coveted national research fellowships.

Congratulations go to Margaret Coffey, Matthew Grundy-Bowers and Liesl Wandrag who have all been awarded a clinical doctoral research fellowship (C-DRF) by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The C-DRF meets the cost of the winner’s salary and tuition fees for a PhD, and costs associated with their research project.

Janice Sigsworth, nursing director, said: “This is an outstanding achievement for each winner. They have all worked extremely hard throughout the application and interview process – their efforts should be commended.”

The duration of fellowships can be three years full-time or four to five years part-time.

There were 100 applicants overall. 

Margaret Coffey
Speech and language therapist and clinical lead for head and neck oncology, Charing Cross Hospital

Tell us about your research project?
I will be looking at swallowing and laryngectomy. Laryngectomy is when the larynx is removed and the airway is separated from the mouth, nose and oesophagus – usually following laryngeal cancer.

There is no standard tool for evaluating how this affects swallowing and I will be looking at using endoscopy, as well as X-ray videofluroscopy, as a method for assessing swallowing ability.

I’m also going to assess what different voice prostheses used in cancer patients do and how these affect swallowing. 

How do you feel about receiving your award?
Delighted. I’ve had tremendous support from my colleagues in preparing my application.

I hope my research will go some way to improving the quality of life of these patients, who often tell me they feel uncomfortable eating with other people because of swallowing problems. 

What would you say to colleagues considering further education or research?
There’s a big push towards evidence-based practice - looking at the therapy we provide and seeing if there is research to back up our clinical decisions. I think the culture at Imperial College Healthcare really supports and fosters this kind of approach – it’s an ideal environment for clinicians considering pursuing research.  

Liesl Wandrag
Senior dietician in critical care, ICU, Charing Cross Hospital

Tell us about your research project?
My project title is: “Inflammatory and nutritional changes during critical illness with a method of attenuating muscle mass loss.”

I will investigate when the best time is to feed patients in ICU – looking at inflammatory and nutritional markers to see when patients’ bodies switch from breaking down, to building up, so we can better target our efforts in nutrition support.

I will also be piloting an intervention where an essential amino acid supplement will be used to see if we can minimise the muscle mass loss that patients experience while in ICU. 

How do you feel about receiving your award?
Thrilled. This fellowship gives me the opportunity to research issues that stem directly from my clinical practice. In doing this research I hope that we can provide an earlier independence for this vulnerable patient group. 

What would you say to colleagues considering further education or research?
It certainly requires a lot of hard work so start early. The NIHR suggests working on your proposal around 18 months in advance of the deadline.

You also need to ensure you have full support from your seniors as you’ll be preparing on top of your clinical duties. 

Matthew Grundy-Bowers
Consultant nurse for HIV/sexual health, Jefferies Wing, St Mary’s Hospital

Tell us about your research project?
The working title is: “Why HIV negative and untested men who have sex with men engage in unprotected anal sex”. I intend to do an extensive literature review and web-based survey, as well as series of focus groups and in-depth interviews. 

How do you feel about receiving your award?
Incredibly privileged. It’s a unique opportunity that will allow me to immerse myself in research, as well as improve my quality of life during the three years I am working on my project.

What would you say to colleagues considering further education or research?
Many nurses and allied health professionals are daunted by the prospect of undertaking research.  However, more and more we are challenging these preconceptions, especially being part of an academic health science centre (AHSC). 

ENDS
For more information please contact:
Caroline Weller
Telephone: 020 3312 1331
Email: caroline.weller@imperial.nhs.uk