News & events from 2025
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Sheffield cardiologists celebrate double award success
Sheffield cardiologists celebrate double award success
The quality of Sheffield's cardiovascular research has been recognised twice with two prestigious national awards celebrating future leaders in the field.
Dr Daniel Taylor, a Clinical Research Fellow at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, collected the British Cardiovascular Society’s Young Investigators Award as part of a combined British Cardiovascular Society, British Heart Foundation, British Atherosclerosis Society and British Society for Cardiovascular Research competition.
It follows breakthrough research where he used computer modelling and a virtual human artery to aid diagnosis of chest pain. This specifically involved the development of computer-generated models to identify disease in the small arteries which supply blood to the heart muscle which cannot be assessed with routine scans. The detailed 3D virtual artery stimulates blood flow in the small arteries, which are typically smaller than 1mm in diameter.
Professor Alex Rothman, Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was also separately awarded the ‘Michael Davies Early Career Award for Contribution to Clinical and Cardiovascular Science 2025’ in recognition of his work to develop new treatments and clinical trial methods for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Alex and his colleagues have also created at-home devices to measure heart filling pressure daily, aiding remote management of heart failure. He also developed a device to treat high blood pressure by targeting the sympathetic nervous system. Both devices are now commercially licensed after regulatory studies.
For more information please visit the news page on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals website.
(June 2025)
#Red4Research 2025
Red4Research 2025 Photo Poster.pdfToday (Friday 20 June 2025), our teams at NIHR Sheffield CRF are wearing #Red4Research!
#Red4Research Day aims to get as many people as possible wearing red to demonstrate their support and appreciation for all those participating, undertaking and supporting research. It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the phenomenal work, learning legacy and innovative treatments/systems/techniques that have arisen from research and development (R&D).
#Red4Research brings together all those participating, supporting, and undertaking research. On the front line and behind the scenes, incredible research teams collectively work on health and social care research. The R&D community is innovative, flexible and dynamic. Research doesn’t just happen though, people make it happen – research participants, patients, professionals, volunteers and regulatory bodies all collectively working together.
In collaboration with the health and care sectors and voluntary organisations, the R&D community has achieved a phenomenal amount. It has:
improved patient outcomes
changed clinical management, policies and guidelines
provided life-saving diagnostics, procedures and treatments
evaluated a range of novel and repurposed therapeutics, demonstrating that large platform trials are feasible
undertaken rapid evidence appraisals
improved our understanding of health and human diseases
developed and delivered COVID-19 vaccines at an unprecedented speed
established rapid ethical review processes
streamlined and aligned regulatory approval processes
advanced the international research agenda
enhanced capacity building
provided real-time visualisation of data to inform decision making
reduced research waste through coordinated research activity and data sharing
To find out more about #Red4Research 2025 or to get involved, please visit the R&D Forum website.
You can also find out how you can be part of research on the NIHR Be Part of Research website.
(June 2025)
Professor Jim Catto named as 2025 Academy of Medical Sciences Fellows
Professor James Catto, Honorary Consultant Urological Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Urology in the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield, has been elected to the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
This significant achievement places Professor Catto among 54 of the UK’s most exceptional biomedical and health scientists selected by the Academy in 2025. The new Fellows have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to advancing medical science, pioneering research discoveries, and translating these into meaningful improvements in patient care and public health
For more information please visit the news page on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals website.
(June 2025)
Landmark MIROCALS clinical trial provides new insight into treatment of MND
Landmark MIROCALS clinical trial provides new insight into treatment of MND
Researchers from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield took part in the first study to investigate the effectiveness and safety of low-dose interleukin-2 (IL2LD) for MND, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The trial, published in the Lancet, demonstrated that IL2LD is safe, compared to placebo. Although the primary analysis did not show a significant benefit for survival, a pre-planned more detailed analysis taking into account the complexity of MND/ALS revealed a statistically significant survival benefit in about 80 per cent of the study participants who had lower levels of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker (phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain protein – pNFH) indicating the rate of motor neuron damage. In these people, the risk of death at the end of the study was reduced by over 40 per cent.
These findings provide encouraging evidence that modifying the immune system could be a useful strategy for altering MND/ALS progression. While IL2LD is not currently licensed for MND/ALS treatment, the MIROCALS results suggest that IL2LD should now be considered for development as a safe and well tolerated treatment for MND, adding to the disease-modifying effect of riluzole.
For more information please visit the news page on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals website.
(June 2025)
Celebrating International Clinical Trials Day
Celebrating International Clinical Trials Day
International Clinical Trials Day takes place every year on 20 May to celebrate the anniversary of the first modern day clinical trial by James Lind in 1747.
On Sunday 18 May 2025, colleagues from across Sheffield's NHS, including from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Children’s and Primary Care Sheffield came together to engage with the public about the positive impact of research in Sheffield via a series of interactive family-friendly activities at Weston Park's May Fayre.
The atmosphere was as warm as the weather as families and individuals came together to learn more about health and care research across Sheffield, and opportunities on how they can get involved in research across the city and beyond.
Interactive activities included:
a mock clinical trial using tap and bottled water to help people understand what is involved in research trials
a hands-on activity for people to test their skills at techniques often used in laboratories in a research setting
Research colleagues also shared the various ways that people can get involved in and participate in research, and invited the public to ask their questions to researchers that our research experts will answer on a special podcast due to be released in July.
To find out about health and social care research taking place in your area of the UK, you can visit the NIHR Be Part of Research website.
To tune into the special podcast launching in July, please bookmark the following page now: https://player.sheffield.ac.uk/events/health-research-sheffield.
(May 2025)
Sheffield researcher wins global prize for extraordinary contributions to motor neurone disease research and care
Sheffield researcher wins global prize for extraordinary contributions to motor neurone disease research and care
Leading clinician, Professor Chris McDermott has been named a recipient of The ALS Association's 2025 Sheila Essey Award for his extraordinary contributions to motor neurone disease research and care.
Presented during the 2025 American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, the prestigious award, funded by the Essey family through the American Brain Foundation in partnership with the ALS Association, ALS Network, and the American Academy of Neurology recognises individuals making a profound impact in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neurone disease (MND) characterised by the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness.
For the last two decades, Professor Chris McDermott, Honorary Consultant Neurologist and a co-director of the Sheffield Care and Research Centre for Motor Neurone Disorders based at the Department of Neurology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, has dedicated his career to making ALS a liveable disease by developing meaningful clinical interventions and treatments.
For more information please visit the news page on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals website.
(May 2025)
International Nurses Day 2025 #IND2025
International Nurses Day 2025 #IND2025
Monday 12 May 2025 marks International Nurses Day. #IND2025
A big thank you to all our nurses, for the difference they make to people's lives, day in and day out and celebrating the important role that nurses and midwives play in research.
(May 2025)
The Generation Study: groundbreaking genetic study for newborns
The Generation Study: groundbreaking genetic study for newborns
The Generation study is a long-term research study to help us to understand if we can improve how we diagnose and treat genetic conditions by looking at newborns' DNA. Nationally the programme aims to test 100,000 newborn babies for 200+ rare genetic conditions, with the aim of offering treatment to affected babies early.
Why is this research important?
We hope that by diagnosing those children affected with any of the 200+ genetic conditions, and offering early support and treatment, this will result in better health outcomes. This research will also help us to understand the accuracy and acceptability of this test for parents, the feasibility of offering this test to all babies and cost effectiveness.
For more information please visit the news page on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals website.
(April 2025)
Do you have long covid?
Do you have long covid?
Have you had COVID-19 at least 3 months ago?
Do you have Long Covid?
Are you aged between 18 and 80 years old?
The University of Leicester are running a clinical trial for adults with Long Covid at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
We want to see if an anti-inflammatory drug (Tocilizumab) helps people with Long Covid to feel better
Tocilizumab may be helpful to treat the inflammation involved in causing Long Covid
The trial compares Tocilizumab with a 'dummy drug' (placebo)
The study team will check if you are eligible to take part:
They will check if you have high levels of inflammation in the blood
They will check if it is safe for you to take part
(April 2025)
Administrative Professionals Day 2025
What an incredible year it has been!
On behalf of us all in the CRF we would like to mark the occasion by saying an enormous thank you to our fantastic administrative team. As we celebrate Administrative Professionals Day today, we want to give a huge shout out to our Reception, Administrative Assistant, Data Coordination, Personal Assistant, and Operations Team members.
You have supported with passion, perseverance and enthusiasm, the activities of an extremely extraordinary year, and we could not have achieved the successes we have without you.
(April 2025)
Website statistics for 2024/25
Website statistics for 2024/25
The infographic below shows some key insights into how this NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) website was used between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (2024/25).
We update the website regularly to make sure that it shows the latest and most accurate information.
If you have any suggestions or ideas on what could be added to make the website even better, please let us know using the feedback form on our ‘how did we do?’ page.
(April 2025)
NIHR Sheffield CRF Website Stats for 2024-25.pdfInfographic showing some key insights into how this NIHR Sheffield CRF website was used between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals celebrates three major research appointments
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals celebrates three major research appointments
Three distinguished researchers from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been awarded Senior Investigator status by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
NIHR Senior Investigators are among the most prominent and prestigious researchers appointed by the NIHR, the Government’s main funder of health and care research.
Professor Dilly Anumba (Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Jessop Wing), Professor Arshad Majid (Neurology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital), and Professor Zoe Marshman (Dental Public Health, Charles Clifford Dental Services) were named in a prestigious honours list of 39 exceptional research leaders newly appointed to the role.
The three leaders were chosen for the quality and volume of their research, its relevance to patients and the public, and its impact on improvements in healthcare and public health.
They will also become members of the NIHR Academy, where they will play a crucial role in mentoring the next generation of researchers and fostering a culture of collaboration that promotes patient and public involvement.
For more information please visit the news page on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Website
(March 2025)
NHS to offer take-at-home tablet for MS
NHS to offer take-at-home tablet for MS
Thousands of NHS patients in England with multiple sclerosis (MS) will soon be offered a "take at home" tablet to manage their condition, sparing them hospital visits for injections or infusions.
Cladribine can help people with the active relapsing-remitting version of the disease, as well as more severe, highly active MS, for which it is already used, says drug advisory body NICE.
Broadening access to the drug should give more patients freedom from hospital and free up clinic time, say experts.
The NHS is the first healthcare system in Europe to roll out the treatment.
For more information please visit the BBC news page.
(March 2025)
NIHR Impact Prizes shortlist revealed
NIHR Impact Prizes shortlist revealed
The NIHR are delighted to unveil the shortlist for the first ever NIHR Impact Prizes.
Every day, NIHR research saves lives and improves the quality of life of the public. The research we support drives improvements to our health and care services, resulting in better wellbeing, better productivity and significant contributions to the wider economy.
The NIHR Impact Prizes celebrate researchers and teams who have had a major impact on the health and wealth of the nation, as well as globally.
The winners will be announced at an in-person award ceremony on 20 March 2025, hosted by Professor Lucy Chappell, the Department of Health and Social Care’s Chief Scientific Advisor and CEO of the NIHR.
In the meantime, find out more about the shortlist on the NIHR news section of the NIHR website.
(March 25)
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals recruits world’s first patients into revolutionary gene study for rare muscle disorder
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals recruits world’s first patients into revolutionary gene study for rare muscle disorder
A 24-year-old woman from York has become one of the first patients in the world to take part in a pioneering research study at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that could switch off the progression of a rare, incurable muscle-weakening disorder called facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).
FSHD is a devastating muscle-wasting disease caused by the activation of an abnormal gene which increases the toxic build-up of the DUX4 protein in muscle cells, resulting in loss of strength in the face, shoulders, arms, legs and hands. There are currently no approved drug treatments for the condition.
Lauren Clarke, who can no longer stand for prolonged periods of time and struggles with simple daily activities such as washing her hair, is one of only a relatively small number of patients across the world to take part in the trial, known as FORTITUDE.
The landmark first-in-human trial is investigating if a targeted gene modifying therapy can be safely delivered to the muscle and alter the underlying cause of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Patients either receive the drug or a placebo.
For more information please visit the news page on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Website
(February 2025)
Ground-breaking EXPERTS-ALS study for MND treatments
Ground-breaking EXPERTS-ALS study for MND treatments
A ground-breaking drug screening programme is set to accelerate the development of new MND treatments.
The EXPErimental medicine Route To Success in ALS (EXPERTS-ALS) project is a pioneering study which aims to rapidly screen potential drugs for evidence that they can slow down damage to the nervous system occurring in people motor neuron disease, also known as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Led by Professor Chris McDermott from the University of Sheffield and Professor Martin Turner from the University of Oxford, the study involves 11 MND centres across the UK and is designed to continually test new drug candidates, with initial funding to cover the next three years.
For more information please visit the news page on the University of Sheffield's website.
(February 2025)
Empowering underrepresented voices in research: an arts-based approach
Empowering underrepresented voices in research: an arts-based approach
Our very own Research Sister, Lorenza Nwafor, is featured in the newest blog from the Evidence-Based Nursing (EBN) BMJ on Empowering Underrepresented Voices in Research: An Arts-Based Approach.
To read the blog, visit the EBN BMJ website.
(January 2025)
Trust consultant wins influential research investigator award for stroke and dementia work
Trust consultant wins influential research investigator award for stroke and dementia work
Dr Kirsty Harkness, who has supported recruitment of hundreds of patients into stroke and dementia research studies over many years, received the esteemed accolade from the British and Irish Association of Stroke Physicians.
The award was given in recognition of the leading role she has played in improving future evidenced-based stroke care.
With a focus on strokes caused by bleeding on the brain, small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment, Dr Kirsty Harkness has led on recruitment to numerous NIHR portfolio studies, enabling thousands of stroke patients to benefit from health and care research.
She has also played a pivotal role in developing stroke research in Sheffield, including as a key member of the Sheffield-led CognoStroke project which is investigating vascular cognitive impairment in stroke. Her invaluable expertise has also supported the development of CognoSpeak™, a groundbreaking project led by neurologists and computer scientists from the University of Sheffield which is using artificial intelligence and speech technology to aid earlier detection of dementia.
For more information please visit the news page of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' website.
(January 2025)
TRICEPS stroke trial
TRICEPS stroke trial
The ground breaking TRICEPStrial, which is testing whether a device which delivers electrical pulses to damaged areas of the brain via a connected earpiece can improve hand and arm function in stroke survivors, has featured in the Daily Mail.
The TRICEPS trial, which is being led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield, is investigating if a portable, pacemaker-like device could significantly improve life for the more than 36,500 people in the UK every year left with permanent arm weakness after a stroke.
Featured in the Good Health supplement (Tuesday 7 January 2025), patient Phil Herbert is among the 100+ patients to have joined the innovative nerve stimulation trial so far.
He told the Mail he was “noticing a difference already” and had "more movement..[to]...open and close kitchen cupboards".
For more information please visit the news page of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' website.
(January 2025)
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