Two University of Strathclyde researchers have each been awarded £125,000 by the Academy of Medical Sciences to support their pioneering work in health and biomedical science.
Dr Natalie Weir, lecturer in Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, and Dr Carsten Schulte, Strathclyde Chancellor’s Fellow in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, are among 55 researchers across 38 institutions receiving money from the programme, now in its eleventh year.
Delivered through the Springboard programme in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Wellcome and the British Heart Foundation, the awards are designed to help establish independent research careers and accelerate advances in medical science.
Therapeutic targets
Dr Schulte said: “This award will genuinely act as a ‘springboard’ for establishing and expanding my glioblastoma-related research line. Glioblastoma is a very aggressive and the most common primary brain tumour in adults. To date, there is no cure for it, meaning that the prognosis for affected patients is dire, with median survival around12-18 months, which explains the urgent need for novel treatment approaches.
“This funding will allow me and my group to explore glioblastoma from a rather unconventional angle, looking at the mechanobiological aspects of this disease to identify unknown or underestimated key regulators and potential new therapeutic targets.”
Dr Weir said: “Scotland records over 1,100 drug‑related deaths each year, which is twice the UK rate and ten times the EU average. Community pharmacy teams play a vital role in supporting recovery, but the care offered varies widely.
This funding will create two national training programmes for pharmacy students and staff to strengthen the support offered to people in recovery.
“Working with national NHS partners, the project will reform pharmacy education, ultimately aiming to improve recovery outcomes and reduce drug‑related deaths.”
Benefit people
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: "To tackle cruel diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and chronic pain, and ultimately save lives, we must help researchers to take their ambitious discovery-stage work to the next level. This support is backing researchers at a stage where attracting commercial investment can be a challenge and builds on the Government’s record investment in research – unlocking more discoveries that benefit people across the UK and beyond."
The Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard programme aims to bridge the gap between early postdoctoral work and independent research leadership, helping to build a sustainable and dynamic biomedical research community across the UK.
This latest funding success adds to Strathclyde’s growing impact in delivering research aligned with major global challenges, including improving health and wellbeing and supporting sustainable development.