UCD Cancer Research Symposium @ The Mater

The recent UCD Cancer Research Symposium proved to be a great success, with the largest turn out to date. Held at The Catherine McAuley Centre at the Mater Hospital, this bi-annual event brought together clinical and research professionals from UCD, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and St Vincent's Hospital. 

The bi-annual symposium is intended to highlight various aspects of cancer research locally, promote collaboration, and identify potential areas for further exploration or development. 

Session 1 began with updates from UCD, St Vincent’s Hospital, and the Mater Hospital about recent research activity and clinical trial updates. We were also treated to an update on the exciting new START Centre, which is due to open soon at the Mater Hospital. This centre will provide first access to phase 1 clinical trials to cancer patients in Ireland. 

Session 1 was closed out by Drs Emilly Harrold and Darren Cowser who are taking up new consultant posts at the Mater, having returned from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. We wish Drs Cowser and Harrold good luck in their new roles and look forward to collaborating with them on new trials!

For session 2 of the symposium, an expert panel discussed how we might best close the clinical-academic gap and work more closely together. The panel explored why collaborations are difficult, the low hanging fruits we might tackle, and the positives of collaboration. 

The last session of the day, saw quick fire talks by trans-disciplinary researchers who discussed examples of collaborative research projects – the good, the bad, and the ugly! 

The day ended on a slightly different creative note, with an art exhibition featuring works by Vincent Devine and Navin Hyder. Vincent Devine's "The Vitruvian" offered a captivating visual journey through the world of cancer research, while Navin Hyder's "Memento Vivere" showcased the artistry born from the Mater Hospital's unique setting.

All in all, the symposium was a resounding success, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and bridging the gap between research and practice in the ever-evolving field of cancer research and care. The event demonstrated the dedication and commitment of the clinical and research staff in advancing the fight against cancer.

We hope to welcome everyone back to UCD in 2024 for the next symposium. 

The symposium was a collaborative effort between the UCD Cancer Trials Cluster, the All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI), the Mater’s Clinical Trial Research Unit, UCD Research and Innovation, and the Pillar Centre at the Mater.