11th Grampian Research Conference

Date: 14/05/2026 to 15/05/2026 Venue: Robert Gordon University

The 11th Grampian Research Conference will take place at Robert Gordon University (RGU) on 14-15 May, bringing together researchers and clinicians from across the country to focus on this year’s theme: Better Cancer Outcomes

Day one will feature sessions on the role of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAPHs) in cancer research, innovation for better outcomes, and improving inclusion in cancer trials. The Aberdeen Breast Unit clinical trials evening dinner will highlight ongoing collaborative research across Health Boards and academic partners.

Day two is centred on reproductive health and childbirth, alongside further contributions from cancer researchers across the region.

The conference aims to showcase the strong collaborative research culture in Scotland and in the UK and reaffirmed the region’s commitment to improving outcomes for patients.

Conference programme

The programme is correct at time of publication, but is subject to change.

Thursday 14 May (Morning & Afternoon), Robert Gordon University

08:00 – 08:45	Coffee and Registration
08.45 – 09.00	Welcome and Introductions	Prof Nick Fyfe, Vice Principal (Research), RGU
09.00 – 10.30	Working together to build research capacity in Grampian	Chair: Dr Deborah Baldie, NHS Grampian A Balancing Act: Managing Capacity in Specialist Paediatric Clinical Research Teams, Dr Pamela Dicks, NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Building Grampian’s Cancer Research Portfolio: Growing Studies, Skills and Careers Dr Kirsty Shearer, NRS Building research capacity in NHS Grampian NMAHP staff - reflections from a multi-year programme and future aspirations, Prof Kay Cooper, RGU & NHS Grampian Panel discussion: NMAHP careers in research training and research delivery Pauline Ganley, NHS Grampian Heba Farajalla, NHS Grampian Nicola Rhind NHS Grampian Caroline Pacitti, NHS Grampian
10.30 – 10.45	MAYA Project: Using smart Mirrors to support healthier lives of Adolescents and Young Adults after cancer	Chair: Dr Deborah Baldie, NHS Grampian Prof Nirmalie Wiratunga, RGU
10.45 – 11.15	Tea Break
11.15 – 13.00	Research and innovation perspective on better cancer outcomes	Co-Chairs: Dr Clarisse de Vries, University of Aberdeen (UoA), Prof Catriona Kennedy, RGU Dr Andrew Keen, NHS Grampian Prof Anne Kiltie, UoA Prof Sara MacLennan, UoA Dr Miae Lee, NHS Grampian
13.00 – 14.00	Lunch and Networking
14.00 – 15.30	UK CRDC Network and commercial research delivery in primary and secondary care settings	Chair: Claire Headspeath, The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Chloe Cowan, CRDC UK Network (Devolved Administrations) Dr Joanna Jenkinson MBE, ABPI (Video presentation) Jenny Crooks, CRDC UK Network Dr Ellen Drost, NRS Primary Care Network Dr Clare Shaw, RDN Coordinating Centre
15.30 – 17.45	Break and Time to travel to the Aberdeen Town House

Thursday 14 May (Evening), Aberdeen Town House

17.45 – 18.00	Arrival and Bagpipe reception
18.00 – 18.30	Reception, networking and acceptance speeches	Lord Provost and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron Alison Evison, Chair of NHS Grampian Laura Skaife-Knight, CEO, NHS Grampian
18.30 – 18.50	Welcome and introductions	Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian
18.50 – 20.20	Aberdeen Breast Unit Clinical Trials and Research Meeting – Dinner and speeches	Chair: Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian ‘SPRINT’ study: Dapagliflozin and Anthracycline-related muscle toxicity (cardiac and skeletal), Dr Sylvia Kamya and Dr Joel Allotey, UoA PRADAII: Pre-operative radiotherapy and DIEP flap reconstruction - Professor Daniel Leff, Imperial College London MARECA study: Management of breast cancer loco-regional recurrence and oncological outcomes: Analysis of disease presentation and patient management, Jenna Morgan, University of Sheffield Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation: ‘Who, What, Why?', Prof Katie Gillies and Prof Graeme MacLennan, UoA Overview of Portfolio of Breast Trials recruiting in NHS Grampian, Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian
20.20 – 20:30	Poster Prizes and vote of thanks	Dr Deborah O’Neil OBE, Novabiotics Laura Skaife-Knight, CEO, NHS Grampian
20:30	Closing Remarks	Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian

Friday 15 May (Morning & Afternoon), Robert Gordon University

08:30 – 09:00	Coffee and Registration
09.00 – 09.15	Welcome and introduction to day two	Co-Chairs: Euan Dick, Head of CSO and New Reproductive Health and Childbirth Clinical Champion
09.15 – 10.45	Reproductive Health and Childbirth Research Spotlight	Chair: New Reproductive Health and Childbirth Clinical Champion Maria Velo Higueras, RGU Dr Maribel De Gouveia De Sa, NHS Grampian Dr Katrina Forbes-McKay, RGU Dr Lucky Saraswat, NHS Grampian
10.45 – 11.15	Tea Break
11.15 – 11.35	Accelerating patient access to advanced therapies in Scotland though the ATTC Network	Chair: Karen Norris, NHS Grampian Dr Lynn Manson, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Edinburgh
11.35 – 11.55	Launch of CRDC UK Network’s research inclusion strategy	Dr Christiana Dinah, London North West UHNHST and Prof Seshadri Vasan, NHS Grampian, Co-Leads of Research Inclusion
11.55 – 12.25	Spotlight Session – Ten Years of Rural Cancer Research in North-East Scotland: Insights for Equity and Improvement	Chair: Prof Peter Murchie, UoA Dr Natalia Calanzani, UoA Dr Lisa Iversen, UoA
12.25 - 13.10	Lunch and networking
13.10 – 13.30	Keynote — NHS Grampian’s Priorities for the Next Three Years	Laura Skaife-Knight, CEO, NHS Grampian
13.30 – 14.20	Preserving Fertility After Cancer	Chair: Dr Hugh Farrow Bishop, NHS Grampian & UoA Prof Richard Anderson, University of Edinburgh Dr Roseanne Rosario, University of Edinburgh
14.20 – 14.30	TauRx Experience Running Clinical Trials in the UK	Chair: Prof Seshadri Vasan, NHS Grampian Dr Alison Walker, TauRx
14.30 – 14.40	Closing Remarks	Prof Seshadri Vasan, NHS Grampian

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