A Festschrift for Peter Sandercock
Apr 2016: Stroke researchers from around the world gathered in Edinburgh on Friday for a Festschrift Conference in honour of Professor Peter Sandercock, who is retiring.
Entitled “A festival of epidemiology, clinical trials and evidence-based medicine”, the day was an informative and enjoyable overview of Peter’s many contributions to stroke research and how the last 30-40 years has seen the field move from an area with a paucity of evidence to one of neuroscience’s strongest evidence-based disciplines.
Speakers from around the world entertained the audience with overviews of the role that large randomised controlled trials have played in changing doctors’ management of acute stroke, the burden of stroke around the world and what the future holds for stroke research.
During the programme several CCBS researchers outlined their areas of research whilst emphasising the role Peter has played in their careers. Professor Joanna Wardlaw cited the example of small vessel disease as how a question arising from a clinical observation can be translated into clinical trials and changes in practice, Professor Rustam Al-Shahi Salman emphasised the importance of designing clinical trials that are “big, simple and easy-to-do”, and Dr Will Whiteley explained the potential for ‘big data’ and machine learning to improve the way researchers investigate stroke in the future. Professor Gillian Mead spoke about the trials underway to investigate the role of fluoxetine in improving recovery after stroke, and Professor Martin Dennis outlined the importance of looking after the rest of the body after a stroke, giving the brain chance to recover.
Throughout the day speakers spoke of how Peter’s “calm diplomacy” ensured the success of several influential mega-trials which went on to change the way stroke is managed around the world, and how Peter himself has inspired and influenced their approach to science. Peter closed the excellent programme with a lively talk on the highs and lows of his career, entitled “36 years of team science”.
Congratulations Peter!
Related links
Brain vascular disease research at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences
Professor Peter Sandercock Principal Investigator profile