MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL
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MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL
@mrcctu.bsky.social
1K followers 280 following 340 posts
We carry out innovative #ClinicalTrials and develop new #Methodology that has global impact, improving health worldwide.

#MedSky #StatsSky
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Wednesday’s here, and so is our latest #ProudestOf moment!

This week, we’re celebrating Sharon Love, Associate Professor of Clinical Trial Conduct, who leads the methodology conduct work at the Unit.

We asked Sharon what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Sharon. It reads: “Clinical trials are the best way to assess interventions. I’m proud that, for the first time, we have brought together people carrying out clinical trial monitoring in the UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Units. This group discusses issues in quarterly national clinics; shares tools developed to improve clinical trial monitoring in an annual national meeting and works together to improve clinical trial monitoring. This structure and the disseminated tools are helping to strengthen the quality and consistency of trial monitoring across the UK. It’s a fantastic step forward for improving trial and data integrity.”
November 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
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Wednesday already? Let’s celebrate another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant team at the Unit!

This week, we’re spotlighting Ilaria Motta, one of our passionate Principal Clinical Research Fellows working on tuberculosis #TB.

We asked Ilaria what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit👇
A card with a quote from Ilaria Motta. It reads “The thing I’m proudest of from working in our Unit is the incredible motivation and teamwork that drive the PARADIGM4TB trial. It’s an ambitious and innovative study investigating new drugs that could potentially shorten treatment for tuberculosis — a goal that could make a huge difference for patients worldwide. Working on such a large, complex trial is like running a marathon: there are ups and downs along the way, but the collaboration within our Unit and with teams around the world keeps us moving forward. Everyone plays their part, and every small victory is worth celebrating as we work together toward something truly impactful.”
November 5, 2025 at 10:36 AM
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Dr Sophie Merrick (@drsophiemerrick.bsky.social) presented at #ESMO25 results from her qualitative study within the RAMPART #ClinicalTrial.

Her research highlights how immunotherapy impacts the lives of kidney cancer patients, an essential view in cancer care.

🔗 View the poster: buff.ly/fPtvyZ2
A photo of Sophie standing in front of her poster at the ESMO conference 2025
November 3, 2025 at 11:34 AM
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It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to celebrate another #ProudestOf moment from our amazing team at the Unit!

This week, we spotlight Tra My Pham, one of our dedicated senior Research Fellows working in analysis methodology.

We asked Tra what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Tra My Pham. It reads “I'm proud to have contributed to the ongoing development of clinical trial analysis methodology, helping to ensure optimal use of patient data to answer clinically relevant questions.”
October 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
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Let’s kick off Wednesday with another #ProudestOf moment from our amazing team at the Unit!

Today, we’re spotlighting Paul Hyams, our Facilities, Health and Safety Manager at ICTM.

We asked Paul what he’s #ProudestOf in his work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Paul. It reads “I'm proud that, together with the well-being team, we're continuing to offer activities and support that help everyone at the Institute stay informed, trained, and looked after. Whether it's health and safety events, access to helpful resources, or having trained people to talk to, we're building a strong support system for mental, physical, and social wellbeing."
October 22, 2025 at 7:09 AM
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Wednesdays are our #ProudestOf days at the Unit!

This week, meet Berta Terre Torras, our Science Communications Officer and host of the #TrialTalk podcast.

We asked Berta what she’s #ProudestOf in his work at the Unit 👇
: A card with a quote from Berta. It reads “The thing I’m proudest of in my own work at the Unit is re-launching the Trial Talk podcast. Despite having no prior experience in podcasting, I embraced the challenge with the invaluable support of my team. Since then, we have produced two additional seasons, with 26 episodes that include discussions with more than 30 leading experts. These conversations have explored a wide range of topics - from groundbreaking clinical trial findings and innovative research methodologies to the critical role of PPI - bringing fresh insights to the forefront of clinical research.”
October 15, 2025 at 8:32 AM
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Let’s brighten up your Wednesday with another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant team at the Unit!

This week, we’re spotlighting Yath Yogeswaran, one of our fantastic Research Fellows and a medical statistician on the STAMPEDE2 trial.

Here's what Yath is #ProudestOf from his work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Yath. It reads “I’m proudest of being part of the STAMPEDE2 prostate cancer trial from the ground up - opening a trial is never easy, but seeing it launch, and patients recruited for treatment has been incredibly rewarding. What made this possible, and what I value most about our Unit, is its collaborative spirit, colleagues coming together, supporting one another, and sharing their expertise to make a real difference for patients."
October 8, 2025 at 9:44 AM
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Heading to #ESMO2025 in Berlin?

Make sure you catch the latest updates from our #ClinicalTrials in prostate, ovarian & kidney cancer, plus the STOPCAP meta-analysis.

Check out the full list of our posters & presentations in the image below 👇

@myesmo.bsky.social
Poster with the detailed schedule of presentations and posters from MRC CTU at UCL researchers at ESMO 2025.
October 6, 2025 at 8:49 AM
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Halfway through the week and full of pride… It’s time for another #ProudestOf moment!

This week, we’re spotlighting Gabriela Toledo, one of our brilliant Post-doctoral Research Fellows. She shares how building a supportive and friendly network has made all the difference in her work.
A card with a quote from Gabriela Toledo. It reads “The thing I am proudest of is the collaborative and welcoming community we’ve built among statisticians and doctoral students. Whether it’s socials, stats chats, or the MRC CTU at UCL’s bake off, it’s a genuinely supportive and fun environment that makes work more connected and enjoyable!”
October 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM
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💻 Come along to our next Capacity Strengthening Hub webinar with @tghn-news.bsky.social on “How to be a good trial statistician”.

🗓️ 13 October 2025
🕙 10:00-11:30 BST
📍 Online (Zoom)

Register now: lnkd.in/e4RYCqNU
September 30, 2025 at 9:24 AM
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It’s time for another #ProudestOf Wednesday!

Today, we’re spotlighting Matteo Quartagno (@matteoq21.bsky.social), Principal Research Fellow, who’s advancing the field with innovative trial designs as part of our #Methodology research.

Here’s what Matteo is #ProudestOf from his work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Matteo Quartagno. It reads “I’m proud to have contributed to the development of innovative trial designs that reduce the burden on patients and healthcare systems while helping us identify better treatment strategies more efficiently. Approaches such as MAMS, PRACTical and ROCI have shown how trials can be more adaptive, resilient and impactful. What makes this even more rewarding is how receptive and engaged everyone involved in our trials – from clinicians and trial managers to data managers and research nurses – has been in embracing these innovations. Their commitment has turned methodology into practice, and I’m proud that together we are shaping research that will ultimately improve care for patients.”
September 24, 2025 at 9:08 AM
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It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for another #ProudestOf moment from our incredible team at the Unit!

This week, we spotlight Asiyya Tahsin, one of our fantastic research administrators and a member of our #PPI group.

We asked Asiyya what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Asiyya Tahsin. It reads “I’m most proud to have played a small role in supporting STAMPEDE, an astounding MAMS prostate cancer trial. Its adaptive design has since gained global popularity, inspiring similar trials worldwide. STAMPEDE was awarded the NIHR Impact Prize in March, a well-deserved recognition for a project that recruited nearly 12,000 patients and fast-tracked testing of 10 treatments in under two decades. Thanks to the patients and the dedicated team, STAMPEDE has influenced global treatment guidelines and changed clinical practice for prostate cancer multiple times. Its success has given rise to a new and exciting comeback, the STAMPEDE2 trial, which I’m also honoured to support.”
September 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
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Wednesdays are our #ProudestOf days at the Unit!

#ClinicalTrials are a true team effort, and each week we spotlight someone whose expertise makes it all possible.

This week, meet Angus Jennings, one of our Medical Statisticians.

We asked Angus what he’s #ProudestOf in his work at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Angus Jennins. It reads “I am proud of my contributions as part of the BREATHER Plus team, working to generate high-quality evidence that addresses critical questions for children and adolescents living with HIV across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly during such a critical time for global health funding”.
September 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
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Wednesday’s here, and so is our latest #ProudestOf moment!

This week, we’re celebrating Nav Kaur ‪@sikhmum.bsky.social‬, Executive Assistant to Prof Max Parmar.‬‬‬

Nav’s proudest achievement? Organising the first-ever event for Black History Month at the Unit.
A card with a quote from Nav Kaur. It reads, “I am proudest of introducing the Unit’s first-ever event for Black History Month in 2023. Without a budget, I drew on local resources and my own initiative, researching Black-owned businesses, highlighting the contributions of Black men and women in science, and curating films and articles. At the event, we created space for important discussions on white privilege, racism, lived experiences, and allyship. It was a very emotional and impactful moment. In 2024, we held a bigger event with speakers and contributions from Black colleagues who shared their journeys. I feel proud to have paved the way for this, helping ensure that Black history and the experiences of Black staff are recognised, valued, and celebrated within our community.”
September 3, 2025 at 8:46 AM
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It’s that time of the week again... Wednesday pride incoming!

Here’s this week’s #ProudestOf highlight from Aaron Horsey @aarononops.bsky.social‬, one of our enthusiastic Clinical Trial Managers at the Unit 👇
A card with a quote from Aaron Horsey, it reads “I'm proud of the work done by the Unit to bring novel treatments to patients as quickly as possible through challenging and innovative clinical trial designs. Studies like STAMPEDE2, which I am fortunate to support, build on this history of efficiently tackling complex problems and seek to carry the tradition forward well into the future.”
August 27, 2025 at 7:52 AM
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Midweek already? Let’s celebrate another #ProudestOf moment from our brilliant team at the Unit!

This week, we’re hearing from Annabelle South (@annabellesouth.bsky.social), Principal Research Fellow: Research Impact & Communication.

She reflects on what she’s #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit👇
A card with a quote from Annabelle South, it reads “The thing I’m proudest of in my own work at the Unit is the results of the Show RESPECT study (which looked at how to communicate results to trial participants) influencing HRA and trial funders’ guidance – this will hopefully help ensure that people who take part in trials get access to the results of those trials.”
August 20, 2025 at 8:17 AM
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🚴It’s #CycleToWorkDay!

Cycling to work is great for your health, the planet, and your wallet.

We’re celebrating the day with Aaron Horsey, a trial manager and #GreenImpact champion, who shares what his rush hour by bike looks like, both in pictures and in his own words.

@aarononops.bsky.social
Two photos of a park in London, with a cycling lane and a bike sign. Aaron quote reads as: "Commuting by bike means I get to avoid crowded trains and take a direct route through several parks. With my son on the back, he also gets to enjoy being outdoors and we have a great chat. It takes no longer than the tube, we always have a seat, and it saves money - even after the cycle to work payments."
August 15, 2025 at 8:01 AM
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It’s Wednesday already… which means it’s time to share another #ProudestOf moment from our colleagues at the Unit.

This week, we hear from Isabella Jacques, one of our Data Managers.

Here’s what Isabella is #ProudestOf in her work at the Unit 👇
August 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM
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Another Wednesday, another chance to share what makes us proud! 😊

This week, we’re spotlighting Sophie Merrick drsophiemerrick.bsky.social, one of our Senior Clinical Research Fellows at the Unit.

Here’s what Sophie is #ProudestOf from the Unit’s work 👇
A card with a quote from Sophie, it reads, "I'm proud that the work we're doing helps people with cancer live better, not just longer. The REFINE trial, for example, is focused on improving patients' quality of life and making cancer treatment more accessible and equitable around the world."
August 6, 2025 at 8:07 AM
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It’s time for another #ProudestOf Wednesday!

#ClinicalTrials rely on #TeamScience, and every week we’re spotlighting the people who make them possible.

Today, we celebrate Denise Ward, one of our dedicated Clinical Trial Managers.

Here’s what she is proudest of her work at the Unit 👇
July 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
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#ClinicalTrials rely on #TeamScience, bringing together people with different skills & expertise. To celebrate this, we asked our staff what makes them proud personally and as part of our Unit.

In the coming weeks, we’ll share their inspiring answers in our #ProudestOf campaign.

Here’s the first👇
July 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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Pauline stands by a poster for the 17th International Workshop on Pediatrics & HIV 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda
July 16, 2025 at 9:57 AM
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🎉Celebrations continue as James Wyncoll receives the IAS/ANRS Lange/van Tongeren Prize for Young Investigators at #IAS2025!

This award highlights his impactful work on identifying predictors of treatment failure in children with HIV in the ODYSSEY trial.

Congrats, James!

@iasociety.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
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9/11 Metformin did reduce some side-effects of hormone therapy after 2 years. Compared to those on standard treatment only, participants taking metformin:
• gained half as much weight
• had lower cholesterol & blood sugar
• were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome.
July 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM
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5/11 STAMPEDE found some benefit from metformin to overall and progression-free survival, but this benefit was not big enough to be sure that it was not due to chance.
July 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM