1. education

Constantly working to better understand how
to prevent and cure disease. Everything we
do is centred around caring for people and
enhancing and advancing life.
WELCOME.
WE ARE THE SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE, DENTISTRY
& BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Queen’s University Belfast is a global leader in higher education.
We are on a journey which has taken us into the Russell Group
of the UK’s 20 leading research universities and to the Times
Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year.
Few other universities combine an international reputation
for excellence in research and education with a student-centred
ethos and a leadership role in the community which it serves these are the hallmarks of Queen’s and the School of Medicine,
Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences (MDBS).
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World-Class
Heritage
Innovative
We have world-class facilities,
world-class staff and a world-class
intake every year. We put future
thinking at the heart of everything
we do and are constantly investing
in new ideas and technologies that
will make a difference in the world.
We are one of the oldest medical
schools in the UK with a heritage
of academics and graduates that
have made a global impact on
both medical care and research.
Innovation is the lifeblood of MDBS.
Every person who walks through our
doors everyday is prepared to be
innovative in how they think and act.
Dynamic
Life-Changing
A dynamic personality is essential in
MDBS. Ambitious, forward thinking,
entrepreneurial students and staff
who have the ability and confidence
to make their mark in the world.
This is not only a life-changing
experience at university, but
an opportunity to work in an
environment that can quite
literally be life-changing everyday.
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The School of Medicine,
Dentistry and Biomedical
Sciences at Queen’s University
Belfast has been a major
cornerstone of the University
since its foundation and both
its work and its graduates have
been recognised nationally
and internationally.
We are building on our very substantial
reputation with a focussed and ambitious
plan to create an internationally
recognised School and Institute of Health
Sciences that will become a global
player in medical, dental and biomedical
research and education. The School is
driven by a commitment to enhance and
improve the quality of life and health care
available to patients through high-quality
research programmes and enhanced
educational opportunities and training for
future generations of doctors, dentists,
scientists and researchers.
As a key driver for change and future
development we have established a
new Institute of Health Sciences made
up of a number of dedicated, high
quality Research Centres focussed on
Cancer, Infectious Disease, Vision and
Microvascular Disease, Public Health and
Population Genetics. We have created
interdisciplinary clinical and scientific
research teams that have the critical
mass to deliver cutting edge research,
improvements in the quality of life and
health care, a deeper understanding of
disease, leading to the creation of new
therapies and new diagnostic approaches.
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To achieve this vision over £90 million has
been invested with a further £85 million
expenditure anticipated over the next five
years in academic leadership, research
infrastructure, buildings, equipment
and facilities, including a new Wellcome
Clinical Research Facility which will
provide a synergy between clinicians
and scientists ensuring that laboratory
discoveries translate into advances in
patient diagnosis and treatment.
developed by Principal Investigators
from within the School, including Fusion
Antibodies, Almac Diagnostics, iPath
Diagnostics. This approach strengthens
the reputations of Queen’s and
Northern Ireland as major centres for the
development of innovation within the
health and biomedical sciences sector.
It will also ensure close collaboration
between private enterprise, the University
sector and the Health Service.
We continue to cement our relationships
and collaborations across Europe and
North America with global institutions
such as the National Institutes of Health,
Harvard Medical School, Cancer Research
UK, and industrial partners such as Pfizer,
Astra-Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Almac
Sciences and we are engaging in new
relationships across Asia.
The School’s aim to drive discovery,
innovation, the development of novel
targeted therapies and to create a unique
fusion of clinical and basic science research
is underpinned by the recruitment of
clinical and scientific leaders of national
and international repute. Our on-going
campaign to attract the very best has
already demonstrated success with the
appointment of a number of international
Chairs in a range of clinical and scientific
fields in the last two years.
The Institute has already begun to develop
close linkages with the Department
of Enterprise, Trade and Industry,
Invest Northern Ireland, a number of
pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies, and a number of new biotech
companies, which between them employ
over 200 people, have already been
Most recently, in recognition of the
School’s leadership of the Northern
Ireland Comprehensive Cancer Services
(CCS) programme, Queen’s was presented
with the prestigious Diamond Jubilee
Queen’s Anniversary Prize.
The CCS programme has been credited with
driving forward the improvements in cancer
survival in Northern Ireland. It is a collaboration
led by Queen’s University in partnership
with the Department of Health and the five
Northern Ireland Health Trusts with support
from the medical research industry and has
resulted in the reorganisation of cancer services
across Northern Ireland, and investment of
more than £200 million in infrastructure and
personnel for treatment and research by the
University and the health service.
the whole of Northern Ireland and in particular
all the fundraisers, the Department of Health,
Social Services and Public Safety, the five
Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts
and our supporters from the national and
international medical research industry.
“This award underpins our reputation as a global
centre of excellence for cancer care. To receive it
is a singular honour, not just for Queen’s but for
Professor Patrick G Johnston
Dean, School of Medicine,
Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
“Our strength lies in a multidisciplinary
approach – teams of scientists and clinicians
working together across academic and NHS
boundaries on behalf of cancer patients and
their families.”
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MEDICINE
DENTISTRY
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
leading
& dynamic
SCHOOL
For generations, Queen’s has educated
doctors, dentists, scientists and healthcare
professionals who go on to serve society
around the world.
Our undergraduate programmes in
Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical
Sciences, delivered through our
Education Centres in collaboration with
our health partners and with our Research
Centres, provide an exceptional, life
changing experience. Over the years
the School has developed very close
partnerships with the Northern Ireland
Department of Health and Health Trusts
ensuring a close working relationship
between us and our colleagues in the
Health Service.
Indeed these partnerships have been
made even stronger by the creation of
educational sub-deaneries located within
the Health Trusts that ensure much greater
integration and participation between
academic and clinical colleagues in the
education and research process.
The School is driven by a commitment to
enhance and improve the quality of life
and health care available to patients across
Peter Toner,
4th year
Dental Student
Centre for
Medical Education
Northern Ireland and the UK through the
development of high-quality coordinated
research programmes and enhanced
educational opportunities and training for
future generations of doctors, dentists,
scientists and researchers.
We deliver exceptional opportunities for
training at postgraduate level (Masters
and Doctoral) and all our students
benefit from an intellectually challenging
environment, first-class academic
resources and infrastructure and a
culture of innovation. The development
of research programmes in education
and the fostering of interprofessional
education research and activity are
important objectives for the School.
Most importantly, this University
recognises that knowledge knows no
boundaries, and the School is now the
destination of choice for students from
across the world to study Medicine,
Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences.
THE SUNDAY TIMES
UNIVERSITY GUIDE
2013 RANKS QUEEN’S
FIRST FOR MEDICAL
SCIENCES AND
PHARMACY AMONG
UK UNIVERSITIES.
The Centre for Medical Education oversees
the development, management and
delivery of the undergraduate medical
programme, working closely in the first
two years with the Centre for Biomedical
Sciences Education. In recent years,
the Centre for Medical Education has
established excellent partnerships with
General Practice, the Postgraduate Deanery
(Northern Ireland Medical and Dental
Training Agency) and with the hospitals in
Northern Ireland, through the appointment
of Sub-Deans in each of the Trusts. Early
clinical contact is provided through the
Family Attachment scheme and the Clinical
Skills module in years one and two.
Admission to the undergraduate medical
programme is very competitive and the
intake is increasingly diverse with the
percentage of graduates increasing year
on year. Students come to the Centre for
Medical Education from the Republic of
Ireland, across the UK and Europe and from
South East Asia, the USA and Canada.
Students are encouraged to undertake an
intercalated year (at BSc or Masters level)
and as part of the Erasmus scheme, the
Centre has international links with medical
schools in Belgium, Germany and Spain.
The Queen’s medical
graduate is a caring and
compassionate doctor
who is a critical thinker,
problem solver and
reflective practitioner
with excellent clinical
skills who values, above
all else, service to patients.
Valerie Cheung
3rd Year
Medical Student
In years 3 and 4, most of the teaching is
based in the clinical environment. The
development of the final year Student
Assistantship with a focus on Patient
Safety aims to ensure that the transition
from medical student to Foundation year
trainee is a smooth process and reflects our
underlying philosophy.
The Centre has ambitious plans to
continue to promote the integration
of simulation to the undergraduate
curriculum and enhance our contribution
to pedagogical research with the
development of a state-of-the-art
Simulation Hospital on the Health
Sciences campus.
The Queen’s denTAL
graduate is a meticulous
and passionate dentist.
Caring FOR their patients
and always striving
for the best, ensuring
awareness of the
patient’s needs.
Centre for
Dental Education
The Centre for Dental Education is
responsible for the development,
management and delivery of the
undergraduate dental programme
working in partnership with the
Centres for Medical and Biomedical
Sciences Education.
The Centre for Dental Education has
accomplished significant success including
achieving maximum points of 24/24 in
the United Kingdom National Teaching
Quality Assessment exercise in 2003.
In 2005 it was ranked second overall in
the Times Good University Guide and in
2008 the Times Higher ranked Queen’s
Dental School as number one among the
UK’s 16 dental schools. More recently
The Guardian University Guide for 2013
ranked the Dentistry programme as
number one. The 2011 National Student
Survey (NSS), conducted annually by Ipsos
Mori, ranked Queen’s Dental School first
in the UK for teaching, assessment and
feedback. Within the University itself,
the Dental School held top position for
overall satisfaction in the NSS.
Teaching in the early years of the
undergraduate course is based in
the Medical Biology Centre on the
main University campus where there
are state-of-the-art facilities including a
dissection suite, lecture theatres, tutorial
rooms, laboratories, a clinical skills centre,
a library, and an open access ‘e’ centre.
In the later years of the course, teaching
is undertaken in recently refurbished and
state-of-the-art clinical facilities in the
School of Dentistry on the Belfast Royal
Hospitals site, as well as outreach teaching
in new dental clinics in Belfast.
The University has invested in a brand
new clinical skills teaching laboratory in
the School of Dentistry where students
will learn clinical skills in a simulated
environment. In 2011, the Centre
commenced an exciting programme of
internationalisation, with the arrival of the
first cohort of international students on
the undergraduate dental programme.
Jonathan Maxwell
3rd year
Biomedical
Science Student
The Queen’s Biomedical
Science Graduate is a
creative thinker and
problem solver, with
excellent research
skills, who understands
the factors and
processes which
contribute to human
health and disease.
Centre for
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
The Centre for Biomedical Sciences
Education delivers three science degree
programmes: Biomedical Science, Human
Biology and Molecular Medicine, in
addition to the basic science components
of the Medical and Dental curricula and an
intercalated BSc programme for Medical
and Dental students.
Stage 1 of our programme provides
foundation knowledge of Integrated
Human Anatomy and Physiology,
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular
Biology, and Micro-organisms.
Stage 2 of the Biomedical Science
programme seeks to develop an integrated
knowledge of human disease mechanisms
(Pathobiology) and Experimental Design
and Statistical Analysis, combined with
the core Biomedical Science subjects of
Molecular Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics
and Immunobiology. The clinical disciplines
of Clinical Biochemistry, Bacteriology,
Haematology and Histopathology are
represented throughout the programme
and our degree is accredited by the
Institute of Biomedical Science. Our Human
Biology degree programme is particularly
suited to students seeking preparation for
postgraduate entry to Medicine or Dentistry
and offers advanced study in specialised
areas of human physiology and dissectionbased modules in Topographical Anatomy.
In the third year of all programmes, students
take a double-module, laboratory research
project in one of our Research Centres.
The School has excellent research facilities as
well as strong links with clinical departments.
Our courses are designed to equip
students with the knowledge and skills
base required for life-long learning in one
of the most rapidly expanding areas of
modern science. Many of our lecturers are
world-class researchers who enrich their
teaching with methods and models from
the cutting edge of biomedical research and
whose international collaborations provide
our students with research opportunities
abroad. Professional Biomedical Scientists
from the local National Health Service
diagnostic laboratories also make a major
contribution throughout our programme.
We provide our students with the key
skills to function effectively in research
and diagnostic laboratories within the
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Industries, Academia and the National
Health Service.
Our graduates demonstrate practical
laboratory skills combined with critical
thinking and a creative understanding of
experimental design. In addition to specific
course content, we place a strong emphasis
on team-work and communication skills,
problem solving and IT, aimed to enable
our students for careers beyond those
immediately related to Medicine.
postgraduate
Offering an
intellectually
stimulating and
incredibly
vibrant research
environment
STUDENT
TESTIMONIAL
Sudha Soundara Pandi
(2nd year PhD Student, Centre for
Vision and Vascular Science)
I am currently in the 2nd year of a
PhD studentship, working in the research
laboratory of Dr Heping Xu in the Centre
for Vision & Vascular Science.
My research project is on the MicroRNA
in Retinal Ageing and Age-related
Macular Degeneration, and I am grateful
to be working in this new field of
MicroRNA.
Our students benefit
from first-class academic
resources and research
infrastructure and an
extensive range of
support services and
facilities to underpin
an excellent student
experience.
The School is a fantastic place to
do postgraduate study and there
are immense opportunities at both
Masters and Doctoral level to
contribute to world-leading
research, to be trained and taught
by academic staff who are experts
in their field and to undertake
continued professional development
to enhance career prospects.
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Postgraduate
TAUGHT PROGRAMMES
Postgraduate Research
• Carry out pioneering medical research
in one of our internationally recognised Research Centres
• Help increase our understanding
of disease and how to treat it
• Train under the supervision of an
experienced academic researcher as
part of an enthusiastic research team
•Learn to critically analyse data, solve
problems and communicate your
ideas clearly
• Become qualified to work as a
researcher at a university or in industry
One of the reasons I chose to come
to Queen’s to do a PhD studentship
was on the recommendation of my
supervisor and Research Director of the
Aravind Medical Research Foundation,
India. When I looked at the work that
was being carried out within CVVS I
was very excited at the prospect of
being part of such a well-established
research group in the United Kingdom.
There is a growing global need for
scientists and clinicians who are equipped
to investigate the mechanisms of disease
and to identify new ways to treat or
prevent these diseases. The School has
250 research students who develop
the skills needed for such innovative
medical research within one of our four
internationally recognised Research
Centres. As a Biomedical research graduate
from one of the UK’s top 20 research
universities (the Russell Group) Queen’s
graduates are well placed to compete
internationally for research positions in
academia, health service or industry.
The School offers an excellent range of
taught postgraduate courses, delivered
through evidence-based teaching of
the highest quality, across a wide range
of subjects. Many of our courses are
delivered in collaboration with health
care professionals working in the NHS.
As well as providing training in research
methodologies and equipping our
students (approximately 450) with an
in-depth understanding of disease, our
programmes provide opportunities for
clinical and allied health professionals
to increase knowledge, improve skills
and competence and to put these
into practice. Our portfolio of courses
currently on offer ranges from Masters in
Research (Molecular Medicine) to Masters
of Science in Clinical Education, Public
Health, Inter-Professional Health and
Social Care Management, Pain Science
and Practice, Computational Biology with
further programmes being developed,
including in Translational Medicine.
CLINICAL ACADEMIC TRAINING
The School in partnership with the
Northern Ireland Medical and Dental
Training Agency (NIMDTA) and the Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust delivers the
Clinical Academic Training Programme
(CATP). The CATP is designed to provide
unique opportunities for highly motivated,
enthusiastic individuals wishing to excel in
both clinical and academic training. These
innovative clinical training programmes
give a broad-based introduction for
potential international researchers and
educationalists to develop ground
breaking programmes of translational
research and education.
Coming to Queen’s has been a big
adventure for me as this studentship
placement is my first experience away
from my home town in Tamil Nadu,
India. I was a little anxious about
being away from home, but I have
found the staff to be friendly and
efficient, and I have met new friends
and learned about their different
cultures. My experiences to date have
been very positive and exceeded all my
expectations.
I have already recommended Queen’s
as a place of study to friends and peers
in my University in India. The laboratory
I work in is very modern and equipped
with the latest technology and research
apparatus and every day offers a new
and stimulating learning opportunity.
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Building on Success
As the key driver for change and future development,
we have established a new Institute of Health Sciences
made up of a number of dedicated, high-quality Research
Centres focussed on Cancer, Infectious Disease, Vision
and Microvascular Diseases, Public Health and Population
Genetics and a state-of-the-art Clinical Research Facility.
Institute of Health Sciences - Research Strategy and Culture
The new Institute of Health Sciences
is led by Professor Patrick Johnston,
one of the world’s foremost experts
in cancer research. Professor Patrick
Johnston led the development of
the Northern Ireland Clinical Cancer
Centre and the University’s worldleading Centre for Cancer Research
and Cell Biology (CCRCB) until
his appointment as Dean of the
School of Medicine, Dentistry
and Biomedical Sciences in 2007.
The CCRCB is the foundation model
for a number of new flagship research
facilities within the new Institute,
including the Centre for Vision and
Vascular Science (CV VS), the Centre
for Infection and Immunity (CII), and
the Centre for Public Health (CPH).
Within these centres we have the critical mass to
deliver cutting edge research, improvements in the
quality of life and health care, a deeper understanding
of disease leading to the creation of new therapies,
and new diagnostic approaches.
International teams of researchers and clinicians are
working together to develop tomorrow’s treatments.
The School intends to drive discovery, innovation,
the development of novel targeted therapies and to
create a unique fusion of clinical and basic science
research led by medical and scientific leaders of
national and international repute. We recognise
the need to foster inter-disciplinary research and to
concentrate our research into a few high-quality areas
developing the necessary critical mass and expertise
required to be competitive.
Integral to the new Institute is the new Wellcome
Clinical Research Facility which will link strategically
with the Research Centres. The Wellcome Clinical
Research Facility will lead to a synergy between
clinicians and scientists and patients, ensuring that
laboratory discoveries translate in a timely manner
into advances in patient care. It will also facilitate the
recruitment of high-quality clinicians and scientists
from across Europe and North America, leading to
unique international partnerships with important
global institutions such as the National Institutes of
Health, Harvard Medical School, Cancer Research UK,
and industrial partners such as Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca,
GlaxoSmithKline, Almac Sciences.
Queen’s University’s
recruitment campaign
for world-class academics
offers a unique
opportunity to join a
leading university at
one of the most exciting
times in its history, as it
moves towards its goal
to become a Global
Top 100 university.
Queen’s nurtures an
academic environment
which greatly values its
scholars and researchers.
It provides the highest
rewards, professionally
and financially, as well as
the potential to play an
academic leadership role
in the higher education
sector and in the wider
community.
In the following profiles,
a number of staff in
Queen’s University School
of Medicine, Dentistry
and Biomedical Sciences
share their experiences
as members of the
University’s family.
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Centre for
Cancer Research
and Cell Biology
The Centre for Cancer Research and
Cell Biology (CCRCB) was established
in 2005 and in July 2007 moved to
a purpose-built research building
(5000m2) funded by the Department
for Employment and Learning, The
Atlantic Philanthropies and Queen’s
University Belfast. The Centre now
has 300 staff, with 32 Principal
Investigators who are funded by
Cancer Research UK, the Medical
Research Council, the Wellcome
Trust, the Leukaemia Research Fund
and the National Institutes of Health,
as well as industry.
motivated by the desire to improve
outcomes for patients with cancer.
The Centre’s mission is to drive discovery, innovation
and the development of targeted therapies in order
to accelerate the defeat of cancer. Its unique fusion of
clinical and basic science research has been a role model
for research into other diseases. The Centre’s aim is to
develop biomarkers for patient stratification and elucidate
new therapeutic strategies aimed at specific molecular
subtypes of cancer. This requires a seamless transition
from basic through translational to clinical research
and the creation of the CCRCB recognised the need to
foster interdisciplinary research in the life sciences and
to concentrate research into a few high quality areas
alongside the required critical mass and expertise.
Over the past 8 years I have established
and led a clinical research programme
in radiation and prostate cancer at the
Clinical Cancer Centre at Belfast City
Hospital supported by a team of research
radiographers, nurses and clinical research
fellows. In October 2011 I was appointed
as Professor of Radiation Oncology at
Queen’s and over the coming years I
will build a team of clinical academics
focussed on improving radiation therapy
through clinical research.
The Centre’s links to the Northern Ireland Clinical
Cancer Centre has helped to guide the synergy between
clinicians and scientists, ensuring that laboratory
discoveries translate into patient care. This has also led
to the recruitment of high quality clinicians and scientists
from Europe and the United States, and the creation of
unique international partnerships with leading global
institutions, in particular several universities in the USA
and importantly, the US National Cancer Institute.
The Centre is part of the Experimental Cancer Medicine
network and is a CR-UK designated Centre.
Professor
Joe O’Sullivan
CLINICAL Professor of Radiation Oncology,
Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology
I joined the staff at Queen’s in 2004
as Senior Lecturer in Clinical Oncology
having spent the previous 4 years as
a clinical research fellow at the Royal
Marsden Hospital. Working as a clinical
academic can be challenging. However,
I have found that the culture and vision
within Queen’s University foster an
environment where it is possible to
combine excellence in patient care with
academic achievement.
Within the Centre for Cancer Research
and Cell biology I have been privileged
to work with a superb team of scientists
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Centre for
Infection and Immunity
The Centre for Infection and Immunity
(CII) is an exciting new initiative
delivering high-quality research
programmes to develop new treatments
for infection and inflammatory diseases.
The Centre is based in a newly built
state-of-the-art facility equipped with
cutting edge technology and capacity
for 200 researchers.
CII is leading international programmes investigating the role of innate
and adaptive immune responses to infection and tissue injury and
how these might be targeted to develop effective new treatments.
Research is primarily focused on lung diseases with major programmes
in Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Lung infection and Acute Lung Injury. The
Centre supports a highly interactive and collaborative, multidisciplinary
environment between Molecular Immunologists, Microbiologists and
Clinical researchers. These programmes are funded by the Medical
Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council, the National Institutes of Health, the Wellcome Trust, the
National Institute of Health Research and the Department of Health.
The Centre has a strong translational research emphasis, developing
novel therapeutic strategies, using in vivo models of disease and
conducting clinical trials including early phase programmes. This
is supported by the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network
and international collaborations in Asthma, CF and early drug
development. The Centre also boasts an entrepreneurial environment
which encourages the development of intellectual property and spin
out companies and it has strong links with industry partners in biotech
and pharma. The Centre has been designated as one of the six
Infection and Immunity therapeutic clusters for the UK, the only
one outside of England.
Dr Cecilia
O’Kane
Clinical Senior
Lecturer
CentrE for Infection
and Immunity
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I joined the Centre for Infection and
Immunity at Queen’s in 2008. I had
completed my PhD investigating
mechanisms of tissue destruction in
tuberculosis at Imperial College in
London, and having finished my clinical
training, was awarded a Clinician Scientist
Fellowship looking at the mechanisms of
tissue destruction in lung disease.
Working at Queen’s has given me the
opportunity to carry out my research in a
richly collaborative environment – both
among the members of our own Centre
and the Medical School, but also beyond,
engaging pharmacists, biochemists and our
clinical colleagues to bring together all the
specialists working in related fields to try to
answer a specific question.
We have a vibrant group of researchers
within the Centre, with a wide range of
expertise in different fields/models of
lung and inflammatory disease. We have
access to state-of-the-art equipment
in new purpose-built laboratories, and
exceptionally strong technical and
administrative support within the School.
Additionally the teaching facilities within
the Clinical Skills Education Centre allow for
exciting and interactive hands-on teaching
opportunities with Undergraduates.
At Queen’s I have the opportunity to
work within a vibrant and supportive
environment, with enthusiastic and highly
motivated colleagues with full access to
all the laboratory and clinical research
facilities I need.
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Centre for
Vision AND Vascular Science
The Centre for Vision and Vascular Science
(CV VS) research programme at Queen’s
is recognised as a major area of strength
throughout the UK.
The Centre focuses on conducting
high-quality research into the
pathogenesis and treatment of major
retinal and microvascular disorders.
The Centre’s researchers have an
international reputation and have
advanced understanding and new
therapeutic approaches to diseases such
as diabetic complications, age related
macular degeneration (AMD) and tissue
ischaemia. These conditions share a
microvasculopathic aetiology and this
strategic focus ensures that the CVVS
forms a coherent, collaborative centre
of excellence.
Dr Tim Curtis
Senior Lecturer
Centre for Vision
and Vascular Science
I moved to Queen’s as a Wellcome Trust
funded Post-Doctoral Researcher in
January 1998. This position acted as
a springboard for my appointment to
a lectureship position in 2001 and later
my promotion to Senior Lecturer in
Vision Science in 2008.
Originally, as a young scientist coming
from England, it was the reputation of
Queen’s for medical research and the
ambition and enthusiasm of the academic
staff that made me realise that Belfast was
the right place for me.
My progression from post-doc to lecturer
to senior lecturer is testament to the
highly supportive and nurturing academic
environment at Queen’s.
Indeed, the exceptional mentoring,
support and encouragement that I
have received have been instrumental
in my development as an independent
scientist and researcher. My main research
interests are focussed on the physiology,
pathophysiology and pathology of the
retinal microcirculation.
The Centre’s research divisions
comprise Clinical and Experimental
Ophthalmology, Vascular Complications
of Diabetes and Cardiovascular
Re-modelling with considerable
overlapping interests and strong
collaborations existing between all three.
The Centre has also been awarded £4.8
million through the Wellcome-Wolfson
Capital Awards Initiative towards funding
a new state-of-the-art facility (totalling
£20 million). This new facility which will
open in 2014, underscores the strategic
importance of CV VS within the University
and will provide an infrastructural
framework for further enhancing
translational research in Belfast. It will also
place CV VS in proximity to several other
research centres on the Health Sciences
Campus. It will enable entrepreneurial
partnership with the global biotechnology
and pharmaceutical industries through
collaborative research, strategic alliance,
contract research and consultancy and
make a crucial contribution to local
economic growth.
Over recent years, the commitment of
Queen’s in supporting the continued
development of vision and vascular
research has been genuinely impressive.
Starting with just a small handful of
academic staff, the Centre for Vision
and Vascular Science has rapidly
emerged as one of the leading
ophthalmic research centres in the UK.
With a new, purpose-designed, building
on the horizon, it is an exciting time to
be working within the vision and vascular
sciences field at Queen’s.
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21
Dr Jayne Woodside
READER, Centre for Public Health
I completed my undergraduate degree
at Oxford University before coming to
Queen’s to do a PhD in 1994. Following
a post-doc at University College London,
I returned to Belfast in 2000 to take up a
lecturer position. My decision to return
to Belfast was driven entirely by my
knowledge of the quality of the research
and the rich collaborative environment
that existed there.
Since coming to Queen’s I have
developed a programme of research
based around fruit and vegetables,
examining their health benefits in
controlled intervention studies with
clinically relevant endpoints, attitudes
towards these foods, and ways of
increasing consumption, as well as how
best to measure intake through the use
of biomarkers. During my time within
the Centre for Public Health I have been
promoted first to Senior Lecturer and
then to Reader, and this rapid progression
has been largely due to the mentoring
and support provided both within the
Centre and more broadly across the
University. I feel privileged to be working
with the talented scientists and clinicians
within the Centre, which is also extremely
well supported in terms of technical and
administrative back-up. The Centre
has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities,
and with the opening of the world-class
Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility,
within the Centre for Public Health, we
are well placed to play a key role in both
public health and translational medicine
research.
Centre for
PUBLIC HEALTH
The Centre is based in modern, refurbished
accommodation on the Royal Group of Hospitals
site and hosts both the Centre of Excellence in
Public Health (NI), one of the five UKCRC Public
Health Centres of Excellence, as well as the
All-Ireland Hub for Trials Methodology Research,
one of the eight MRC Methodology Hubs.
It currently has over 160 researchers
working in a number of key thematic areas
which include Cancer Epidemiology and
Health Services Research, Cardiovascular
Epidemiology, Nutrition and Metabolism,
Renal Disease and Ageing. Scientists and
clinicians in the Centre are working to
identify the epidemiological and genetic
risk factors that are important for the health
of the individual and of the population, and
to develop screening and interventions to
reduce the burden of chronic disease in the
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future. High quality research programmes
are being developed involving close
collaboration between clinical experts
and scientists with skills in biochemistry,
epidemiology, genetics and statistics.
There is a strong emphasis on maintaining
international research collaborations,
facilitated through formal links with a
number of other institutions. In addition,
the Centre actively participates in research
networks throughout the UK and Europe.
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We deliver the
perfect balance of
world-class teaching
and internationally
recognised research.
To discover more about the School of
Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical
Sciences, visit our website:
www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs