News 2023
A selection of news from the Usher Institute in 2023.
Celebrating Postdoc Appreciation Week
Recognising the dedication and achievements of all our postdocs
Annual Lecture and Showcase Success
We were delighted to host Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at the UK Health Secruity Agency, for this year's Annual Lecture and Showcase
Better monitoring of breast cancer screening vital for improved uptake of services
Findings suggest access to breast screening services should be monitored to determine if changes are needed to encourage greater uptake, particularly among disadvantaged groups.
Global surge in cancer cases among under-50s
Global cancer cases in people under the age of 50 have risen by 79 per cent between 1990 and 2019, according to new research.
Usher Building Café needs a name
The Usher Building at Edinburgh BioQuarter will have a new café - but what will we call it?
Annual Recognition Awards
The Usher Institute is delighted to recognise the contribution of staff and students in our Annual Recognition Awards.
New appointment: Professor Julie Jacko, Co-Head of the Centre for Medical Informatics
We are delighted to announce that Professor Julie Jacko has been appointed as Chair of Health Informatics and Data Science and Co-Head of the Centre for Medical Informatics at the Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh.
HDR UK announces five strategic research driver programmes
Five UK-wide programmes at the centre of HDR UK’s new strategy will harness the power of large-scale data to tackle some of the largest health challenges and build a strong foundation for future research.
Vapes work better than patches in pregnancy trial
E-cigarettes may be more effective than nicotine patches for pregnant women trying to quit smoking, research suggests.
Covid risk study pinpoints ethnic inequalities
Scotland’s White Gypsy/Traveller ethnic minority group were at greater risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation or death than the majority of the population, research reveals.
Congratulations Professors!
Congratulations to Professors Saturnino Luz Filho, Thanasis Tsanas, Karen Fairhurst, Nazir Lone and Susan Shenkin.
Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh announces move to Oxford
Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh OBE appointed as next Nuffield Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford
Congratulations to John Last prize winners
This year's John Last prize for contributions to public health/academic community by online MPH students has been awarded to Kirsten Duggan and Abdulhamid Yaro Saidu.
Professor Linda Bauld receives honorary degree
Professor Linda Bauld OBE, who has been at the forefront of public health research in Scotland for the best part of 30 years, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).
Academic Fellow in General Practice recognised with award
Academic Fellow in General Practice at the Usher Institute receives prestigious award for research.
Kathrin Cresswell joins International Academy of Quality and Safety
Kathrin Cresswell is recognised for significant contributions to the field of Quality and Safety in Healthcare.
Long COVID project recognised for statistical excellence
The Long COVID project was crowned joint winners of the Royal Statistical Society's Florence Nightingale Award for Excellence in Healthcare Data Analytics 2023
Core genes for type 1 diabetes revealed
Scientists have identified nine genes that play a key role in increasing the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
New NIHR Evidence Synthesis Group launched
A new NIHR Evidence Synthesis Group, 'NESSIE', has been launched in a combined effort from across Usher in partnership with other institutions.
Three Usher Professors elected Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Professors Linda Bauld, Ewen Harrison and Gillian Mead elected as Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
AI tool could improve heart attack diagnosis
An algorithm developed using artificial intelligence could soon be used by doctors to diagnose heart attacks with better speed and accuracy than ever before.
World Asthma Day 2023
Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research publishes brief on Digital Tools for Asthma Care
Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley announced as next Chair of Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Sarah will take up the post formally in January 2024 when the current Chair of the Nuffield Council, Professor Dave Archard, steps down from the role. In the meantime, Sarah will join the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) as a Member of the Council until she takes up the role of Chair.
Calls to strengthen use of Scottish care home data
A national framework for care home data should be developed in order to benefit residents and inform Scotland’s health and social care services, according to a new report.
Doctors Garcia Iglesias, Kerr & Tibble awarded prestigious Chancellor’s Fellowship
Three researchers and analysts from the Usher Institute announced in this year’s intake of Chancellor’s Fellows
New DataLoch Respiratory Registry
The DataLoch team have launched a new respiratory registry - designed to improve support for respiratory researchers by offering a smoother data-selection experience, a streamlined application process, and straightforward access to related expertise.
Building Healthier Futures
Networking event, celebrating the new Usher building and opportunities for future collaboration and developments in health and care, a great success.
Ending GP performance pay linked to care quality drop
Ending performance related payments for NHS GPs in Scotland was associated with a decline in the reported quality of some aspects of care, according to new research.
Usher successes at CMVM recognition awards
Winners for this year's College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Staff Recognition Awards were announced on 30 March at a celebration event in Summerhall, the former home of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
EAVE II outstanding achievements recognised in Royal Society of Edinburgh medals
The EAVE II Team have become the first recipients of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's new Mary Sommerville Medal, an award for excellence in teamwork and collaboration in scientific research.
Professors Harrison, Mercer and Nair elected to Royal Society of Edinburgh
Three professors from the Usher Institute announced in this year's intake of Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
New senior leadership programme for digital transformation in health and care for Scotland
A new masters level programme has been launched to develop a new generation of leaders who can drive, deliver, and embed digital transformation across Scotland's health and care services.
Orkney cancer gene link revealed
People with grandparents from Orkney have a variation in a gene that could increase the chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer, research shows.
Long COVID prevalence in Scotland similar to stroke and COPD, study finds
Preliminary findings from an EAVE II sub-study were presented to the Scottish Parliament COVID-19 Recovery Committee's inquiry into long COVID.
Diabetes and Ramadan - free online course
Online courses available for people with diabetes, and healthcare professionals, to help manage diabetes during Ramadan
New digital intervention seeks to support concussion recovery
HeadOn is a digital health program designed to support recovery after a concussion.
Lockdowns linked with drop in preterm births
The number of preterm births around the world dropped three to four per cent in the first four months of Covid-19 lockdowns, research shows.
Inadequate progress digitising the NHS
The UK Government is making inadequate progress on vital commitments to digitise the NHS, an independent panel of experts has found.
Health and Social Care Data-Driven Innovation programme welcomes Partner Engagement and Marketing Lead
Colleen Hubbard joins the Health and Social Care Data-Driven Innovation (HSCDDI) programme to lead partnerships, engagement and marketing activity as it embarks on an exciting phase of growth.
Asthma risk unaltered by taking extra vitamin D
Taking vitamin D supplements does not reduce the risk of asthma attacks in children or adults, research shows.
Enhancing support for emergency cardiac care clinicians in Scotland using artificial intelligence
A new partnership bringing together The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, NHS Lothian and Lenus Health, supported by Wellcome Leap, aims to develop improved support for Emergency Department clinicians through an innovative collaboration.
Volunteers needed to boost study into nation’s health
Every adult and young person in Scotland is being invited to join a major study that will help shape the nation’s healthcare.
New Masters in Planetary Health tackles crises for people and planet
Professor Liz Grant co-leads a new MSc in Planetary Health - seeking to equip graduates to address global issues threatening human, environmental and economic wellbeing.
First cohort of UK Young Academy includes Usher researcher, Andrea Ford
Andrea Ford, Research Fellow (Medical and Cultural Anthropology), joins first cohort of UK Young Academy
New Year Honours for Professor Ewen Harrison
Professor Ewen Harrison receives OBE in New Years Honours list 2023.