St George’s new Translational and Clinical Research Institute launches
Published: 05 February 2021
St George’s, University of London and St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have announced the launch of a new joint institute. The Translational and Clinical Research Institute (TACRI) is a new virtual institute, forming a part of both the University and Trust’s research strategies.
TACRI was launched in January with an online event with talks from researchers from both the University and Trust, as well as a question-and-answer session on the Institute. The aim for TACRI will be to provide a structure for clinical researchers (including midwives, doctors and allied health professionals) to collaborate across both institutions, enabling them to develop their careers in research.
Dr Daniel Forton, Associate Medical Director for Research at the Trust introduced the new Institute as a structure to “collaborate, learn, and develop research careers”, based on a desire from staff to continue research despite the current challenges in healthcare.
The objectives for the Institute will be to:
- Be a conduit and platform for information, research team building and grant opportunities across both organisations
- Provide training and education through a programme of lectures, presentations and seminars
- Generate a culture of research success, recognition, visibility and collaboration
- Grow collaborative translational and clinical research between the Trust and University, ultimately improving grant success and achieving core NIHR funding
Activities supported by TACRI will include development of researcher web pages, internships and grant writing courses, as well as further research opportunities, including for students interested in research projects and training sessions for career development. The Institute plans to run regular seminars, lectures and workshops to encourage involvement and learning among clinicians and academics.
The launch meeting also heard talks from Dr Daniela Kirwan, a MRC Clinical Research Training Fellow, on her latest research on Covid-19 and the evolution of the immune response, and Ms Caroline Hing on improving the assessment of patellofemoral instability, where the kneecap moves out of position, using novel examination techniques.
Speaking on the launch of the Institute, Deputy Principal for Research and Enterprise at the University, Professor Jon Friedland, said: “I believe that this is a key new development to help take the excellent translational research at St George’s to even higher levels, to share best practice and to provide new opportunities and training to all those interested in clinical investigation.”
Dr Daniel Forton added: “TACRI has now been launched and the next phase will be to invite members from the Trust and University to register and get involved. Membership will be inclusive and open to all Trust and University researchers and also to those who wish to learn more and to develop a research interest.”