NCA Research & Innovation

05/03/2026

Iʼm raising money to Donal O’Donoghue Renal Research Centre. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

03/03/2026

Set your alarm! Neurosurgeon Professor Omar Pathmanaban will feature in tomorrow evening's episode of The Surgeon on Channel 5 at 9pm. As well as his clinical role at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, he is strategic lead at the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre.

We cannot wait 📺Channel 5

Mr Omar Pathmanaban said: The documentary is a rare opportunity to show how we care for patients who are facing the most daunting challenge of their lives, dealing with conditions and treatments that can be life threatening."

https://ow.ly/ukPV50YnVrE

02/03/2026

Teacher Rob Hasler has spoken to the BBC about his motor neurone disease - it's a brilliantly inspiring story:

Rob Hasler's regular runs up a hill have been replaced by walks with friends, family and pupils.

25/02/2026

Well done to study research nurse Olu Bello and the dermatology research team at Salford, who have been recognised for their hard work and dedication to the BADBIR registry, monitoring the long-term safety of new treatments for . With more than 23,000 registrations, it is the largest psoriasis study of its kind globally.

The team running the study at The University of Manchester have singled out the Salford research nurses and assistants for their efficiency and hard work dealing with queries and follow-ups.

Professor Richard Warren is BADBIR's chief investigator and Dr Hamish Hunter is the principal investigator at Salford.

24/02/2026

Colleagues from the Adult Inherited Metabolic Disorders Department at Salford Royal Hospital teamed up with a charity to offer extra support to people with Glycogen Storage Disorders in the run up to Rare Disease Day on Saturday (28 February).
Consultant in adult metabolic medicine Dr Karolina Stepien is a trustee of the charity AGSD - UK and arranged the multidisciplinary clinics.
They brought together doctors, specialist nurses, dietitians and physiotherapists along with specialist care advisor Elizabeth Davenport from the charity.
Elizabeth offered advice on housing, benefits, education, employment and emotional support to patients and families attending outpatients’ appointments with Dr Stepien and her colleagues Dr Ana Jovanovic and Dr John Bassett. She was delighted to speak with several people who hadn’t heard of the charity previously – as well as to meet up with some that she’s only met virtually previously.
Dr Stepien explained: “Glycogen Storage Disorders are rare and complex inherited conditions that can cause muscle weakness and liver damage. There are several different types, which all affect people differently. Currently there is no cure, so treatment is based on managing symptoms – which is why it’s so important to have the whole multidisciplinary team involved and why we have a strong focus on research.
“While people are affected differently, there are common areas where they need support and advice and we very much welcome the AGSD UK’s first visit to our clinic.”
The charity will also join a second patient information day on 4 March.

23/02/2026

A huge thank you to our research star of the month at Bury, Jean Ellis. Jean works in the pathology lab at Fairfield and is consistently helpful and positive in her support to our research delivery team, helping to arrange timely access when needed and liaising with couriers over research samples. None of this is required as part of her role, yet she does it willingly to help. Her support makes a real difference to our day-to-day work, and she is consistently friendly and helpful when the team see her in the path lab. Thank you Jean!

20/02/2026

Best of luck to our wonderful oncology research nurse Kandeel Batool, who is planning to climb Mount Snowdon to raise funds for the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre.
The challenge will combine her passions for health, research and community service – although she will also have to overcome a fear of heights!
Kandeel says: “I want to challenge myself and overcome these fears. More importantly, I want to dedicate this climb to brain tumour patients - the very people we conduct our research for - which makes supporting the Geoffrey Jefferson Centre feel especially meaningful.”
Kandeel will climb Wales’ highest peak in May and would be hugely grateful for any donations to help the work of the Jeff. This is her JustGiving page. https://www.justgiving.com/page/kandeel-batool-1

19/02/2026

One of our 'behind the scenes' heroes is our research star of the month at Salford. Beverley Greenhalgh was incredibly helpful in providing support for the recent external Human Tissue Authority inspection. She systematically worked through the regulatory requirements, prepared tracking sheets, collated critical documents, and joined pre-meetings with the inspector in advance of the visit. This allowed others to focus on the numerous other tasks that needed doing in their own areas. She was polite, calm and helpful at all stages of the process. When the pressure's on, you really need a Bev!

16/02/2026

We're hugely looking forward to this new Channel 5 series, which will feature Professor Omar Pathmanaban, brain surgeon at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and strategic lead at the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre. Make sure you tune in each Wednesday!

12/02/2026

Professor Konstantina (Tina) Karabatsou will celebrate her MAHSC honorary clinical chair with a lecture about her professional and personal journey, clinical and research areas on Monday 16 March, noon-12.30pm.

She has been a consultant neurosurgeon at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust since 2007 and has been the lead clinician for the neuro-oncology service in Greater Manchester since 2009. She led the team in being awarded the prestigious status of designated Centre of Excellence by the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission. She is also the lead clinician for cranial neurofibromatosis type 1, as part of one of the two UK centrally commissioned multidisciplinary services, and is research active.

Prof Karabatsou believes patients and their families must be the focus of service and brain tumour research and has also organised well-attended patients support and information days.

11/02/2026

“Whilst it may be difficult to visualise yourself making a difference, it is not about doing it alone.”

Today, on , NIHR Manchester BRC has celebrated the success of female researchers who have recently secured competitive schemes or fellowships.

Through these opportunities, they can access funding and support and devote protected time to their research.

Dr Nasimah Maricar (PhD) said: “My passion for improving patient care has always empowered me to challenge current clinical practice. Whilst it may be difficult to visualise yourself making a difference, it is not about doing it alone. Through collective strength and shared support, and in the process uplifting others too, every challenge becomes a catalyst for growth and inspiration.”

Nasimah is an Advanced Musculoskeletal Practitioner at NNorthern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trustand is the first Allied Health Professional to be awarded a place on Manchester BRC’s Clinical Research Investment Scheme. 👏

Nasimah’s research project will look at knee taping using stretchy elastic tape in painful patellofemoral (knee) osteoarthritis in ethnic communities, who are currently underrepresented in musculoskeletal research.

11/02/2026

What a brilliant team - no wonder they're our research stars of the month at Rochdale Care Organisation!
The healthcare assistants, nursing staff and manager at Rochdale Infirmary's outpatients suite 5 have been am incredible support to the LEADER study, which is is looking at oral versus intramuscular glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis. They help with room requests in the very busy clinic area when research delivery colleagues have a patient follow up and are always happy to help bring patients to the visit room and with systems. They are extremely polite and always have a smile for everyone. It makes such a difference – thank you to all the team.