A therapeutic radiographer from Leeds Cancer Centre, Matt Beasley, has recently been awarded a Health Education England (HEE) / National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Doctoral Fellowship (CDRF). The CDRF will provide Matt with the funding to undertake a PhD by research while continuing to develop his professional and clinical practice.
Starting in July 2021, Matthew will be completing the fellowship over four years, working closely with the clinical and radiotherapy research teams at Leeds Cancer Centre and the University of Leeds. Matt will address if it is possible to increase the accuracy of liver stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy by improving the visualisation of normal and abnormal tissues in the upper-abdomen using imaging and motion management techniques in ways clinically acceptable and practicable to patients.
Matt completed his MSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology in 2015 and was awarded a HEE / NIHR Bridging Award in 2019 from NHS Research & Development North West, a scheme which enables non-medics to build on their previous academic training and develop a proposal for a CDRF. NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Bridging awards are managed by local HEE teams. Matt believes the Bridging scheme was instrumental in his successful CDRF application, providing funding for time, courses and patient and public involvement to support his proposal.
More information on applying for HEE / NIHR ICA Programme can be found online.