News

Researchers and clinical academics from across the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) came together on 23 April in Nottingham for the NIHR BRC Imaging Network Annual Event.

The event, hosted by our BRC, opened with a welcome from Professor Dorothee Auer - research Theme Lead for MRI & Precision Imaging at our BRC - who set the scene for a day focused on collaboration, innovation, and strengthening imaging networks across centres.

Dedicated sessions and informal discussion spaces allowed attendees to connect across themes, exchange expertise, and explore new collaborative ideas. The event also provided a strong platform for early career researchers to showcase their work.

Short “power pitch” presentations gave researchers the opportunity to present their projects to a wider audience, sparking discussion and raising the profile of emerging research across the network.

Research excellence was recognised throughout the day, with awards presented for outstanding highlighting the breadth and quality of imaging research being delivered across the BRCs.

The event concluded with discussions on future opportunities and the role of imaging within wider NHS priorities, leaving attendees with a strengthened foundation for ongoing collaboration, before welcoming the new network chair Professor Jim Wild (University of Sheffield).

Professor Stefan Neubauer, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford, commented after the event: “Everyone I spoke to told me that they were amazed how good this meeting was, and how unique it was in providing such extensive opportunities for discussion - which rarely happens to that extent at other meetings.”

Several prizes were awarded to delegates at the conference.

For research posters, these were:

First prize - Yassine Azma (Royal Marsden)
Runners-up: Margot Roeth (University of Nottingham); Shreena Patel-Manoharan (Northwick Park) and Clare Moody (Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust/ NENC Imaging Academy)

The ‘power pitch’ prize winners were: Marco Muccio (University of Oxford); Chris Bradley (University Nottingham) and Jessica Winfield (Royal Marsden).

Meanwhile, presentation winners from the first conference session were:

First prize - Owen White (Royal Marsden) and
Second prize - Dr Caroline Cartlidge (University of Leeds).