News
Dr Erin Crowley wins Support Staff of the Year Award at Irish Cancer Society Research Awards
Researchers engaged in innovative projects around the country were honoured at the Irish Cancer Society Research Awards on Friday, February 23rd at Regent House, Trinity College Dublin. Among those to claim top honours was Dr Erin Crowley, who was awarded Support Staff of the Year.
Erin is Academic Study Coordinator at UCC Cancer Trials Group within Cancer Research @UCC research centre where she promotes and supports clinicians to participate in UCC-sponsored Academic Research. She also co-ordinates the journey through the UCC approval process for patient-focused research.
Welcoming her award, Dr Erin Crowley said: “Although I’m a pharmacist, I have really relished the experience to delve into the cancer research space, bringing unique insights and perspectives from my former roles.
My position is shared across the UCC Cancer Trials Group and the HRB Clinical Research Facility-UCC, which are both HRB funded. This has really allowed me to strengthen collaboration between the two infrastructures. Seeing the impact this has had in the last 2 years has been incredibly rewarding and makes me so optimistic in our ability to give our patients opportunities to participate in academic clinical research in the future.”
Congratulating the winners, Irish Cancer Society Head of Research Dr Claire Kilty said: “Cancer research in Ireland has a huge impact on the lives of people affected by cancer. It is a driving force in improving not only treatments and outcomes, but in quality of life beyond cancer. It was fantastic to get an appreciation of the amazing cancer research projects currently happening right across the country.
“We are proud to be the largest voluntary funded of cancer research in Ireland. However, none of the vital research we fund would be possible without the support of the public, especially on days like Daffodil Day. We would encourage everyone to please get out there and support Daffodil Day in whatever way you can on March 22nd.”
On the night, translational researcher at Systems Biology Ireland in University College Dublin Dr Luke Jones was awarded Senior Researcher of the Year. PhD Researcher of the Year went to Chowdhury Arif Jahangir.
The event also celebrated the central contribution of patients and survivors to innovative research projects that help to improve the lives of those impacted by cancer. This was reflected in the category of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Achievement of the Year Award.
On the night, the Irish Cancer Society also announced the creation of the Sonya Lynch, PPI Award 2024. This award will provide funding to drive forward PPI activities, specifically in metastatic breast cancer research.
The award was created in honour of Sonya Lynch who was a member of the PPI panel for the Irish Cancer Society Women’s Health Initiative LYSA Study at UCC Cancer Trials Group from 2019 to 2023, with multisite recruitment in Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway. Sonya was a dedicated patient advocate who used her lived experiences to champion for improved supports and services for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Sonya bravely faced her battle with breast cancer, but sadly, she passed away in August 2023. In her memory, her husband Don delivered a poignant speech that evening, paying tribute to her strength and the indelible mark she left on those around her.
On March 22nd , the Irish Cancer society celebrates Daffodil Day 2024.
You can find more information on how to engage on the day here.