The HRB-TMRN has enrolled its 3rd round of PhD Scholars to date, all of which are addressing a primary trials methodology research question. The Scholars in receipt of a HRB-TMRN Scholarship, are registered across the five funded Network University partners; University of Galway, UCC, UCD, TCD and UL, and come from a range of backgrounds, all with a keen interest in trials methodology.
Our UCC Scholar is Ellen Murphy. Ellen is supervised by Dr Frances Shiely (UCC) and is investigating the cost of retention strategies, how retention is planned and communicated in clinical trial protocols, how retention is communicated in patient information leaflets and investigating PPI involvement in retention strategy planning and the acceptability of trial retention strategies among trial participants. The project aims to investigating how retention is communicated during the lifecycle of a clinical trial.
University of Galway has two funded PhD Scholars, Simone LePage and Parastoo Niloofar. Simone’s project, The Kid’s Trial, will focus on teaching the power of clinical trials and their methodology by co-creating a trial with children and their parents. Simone is supervised by Prof Declan Devane (University of Galway). Parastoo’s background is in biostatistics and will work with Prof John Newell (University of Galway) on “Translation statistics in clinical trials”.
Our TCD Scholar is Kathleen Hannon, who is supervised by Prof Valerie Smith (TCD). Kathleen’s project aims to develop a model for conducting Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities in clinical trials in maternal and neonatal health. The research will explore stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences of PPI in maternal and neonatal clinical trials, including perspectives on recruitment of PPI co-researchers, facilitating co-researchers’ involvement in trial design and decision-making, and how to evaluate PPI conduct and impact.
Our UCD Scholar is Emer Gunne. Emer is studying under the supervision of Prof Peter Doran (University of Galway) and Prof Michael Keane (UCD), her project is on the use of Digital Technologies in Clinical Trials.
University of Limerick have two PhD Scholarships in Trials Methodology. Kara Mc Loughlin is the principal investigator on the CREAT-ED – Development of Core Outcome Set for Older Adults in the Emergency Department project.
T he primary aim of this study is to develop an evidence and consensus-based Core Outcome Set (COS) for research studies with older adults in the Emergency Department (ED). It will involves a large steering group of international specialise in the area of older adults in the ED as and Patient and pubic (PPI) involvement. This project will run from 2023-2027.
The HRB-TMRN is delighted to partner with Evidence Synthesis Ireland, and support Joanna Pope, who is conducting a PhD in the University of Galway, Centre for Health Research Methodology. Her work explores vulnerability to misinformation in the Irish setting, and Joanna contributes to the iHealthFacts.ie initiative. Joanna is supervised by Prof Declan Devane (University of Galway).
We currently have a vacancy for the PhD Scholarship with University of Limerick, and will shortly advertise the position on the website, mailer and on Twitter.
