XI Grampian Research Conference “Better Cancer Outcomes''
Thursday 14 May 2026 - Friday May 15 2026
Location: Sir Ian Wood Building, RGU Campus
We're bringing together researchers and clinicians from across the country to focus on this year's theme: Better Cancer Outcomes.
Day 1 will feature sessions on the role of NMAPHs in cancer research, innovation for better outcomes, and improving inclusion in cancer trials. The Aberdeen Breast Unit clinical trials evening dinner will highlight ongoing collaborative research across NHS boards and academic partners.
Day 2 is centred on reproductive health and childbirth, alongside further contributions from cancer researchers across the region.
This conference aims to showcase the strong collaborative research culture in Scotland and the UK, and reaffirm the region’s commitment to improving outcomes for patients.
RGU is sponsoring this event in association with:
Registration
Event Programme
- 8:00-8:45 - Coffee and registration
- 8:45-9:00 - Welcome and introductions with Professor Nick Fyfe, Vice Principal (Research), RGU
- 9:00-10:30 - Working together to build research capacity in Grampian, Chaired by Dr Deborah Baldie, NHS Grampian and with Prof Kay Cooper, RGU & NHS Grampian, Dr Pamela Dicks, NHS Research Scotland (NRS) and Dr Kirsty Shearer, NRS
- 10:30-10:45 - MAYA Project: Using smart Mirrors to support healthier lives of Adolescents and Young Adults after cancer, chaired by Dr Deborah Baldie, NHS Grampian with Prof Nirmalie Wiratunga, RGU
- 10:45-11:15 - Tea break
- 11:15-13:00 - Research and innovation perspective on better cancer outcomes, Co-Chaired by Dr Clarisse de Vries, University of Aberdeen (UoA) and Prof Catriona Kennedy, RGU with Dr Andrew Keen, NHS Grampian, Prof Anne Kiltie, UoA, Prof Sara MacLennan, UoA and Dr Miae Lee, NHS Grampian
- 13:00-14:00 - Lunch and networking
- 14:00-15:30 - UK CRDC Network and commercial research delivery in primary and secondary care settings, Chaired by Claire Headspeath, The
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) with Chloe Cowan, CRDC UK Network (Devolved Administrations), Dr Joanna Jenkinson MBE, ABPI, Jenny Crooks, CRDC UK Network, Dr Ellen Drost, NRS Primary Care Network, Dr Clare Shaw, RDN Coordinating Centre - 15:30-17:45 - break and time to travel to the Aberdeen Town House
- 17:45-18:00 - Arrival and bagpipe reception
- 18:00-18:30 - Reception and networking and acceptance speeches with Lord Provost and His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron,
Alison Evison, Chair of NHS Grampian and Laura Skaife-Knight, CEO, NHS Grampian - 18:30-18:50 - Start of Meeting - Welcome and Introductions with Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian
- 18:50-20:20 - Aberdeen Breast Unit Clinical Trials and Research Meeting – Dinner and Speeches Chaired by Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian with speeches:
- ‘SPRINT’ study: Dapagliflozin and Anthracycline-related muscle toxicity (cardiac and skeletal), Dr Sylvia Kamya and Dr Joel Allotey, UoA
- PRADAII: Pre-operative radiotherapy and DIEP flap reconstruction - Professor Daniel Leff, Imperial College London
- MARECA study: Management of breast cancer loco-regional recurrence and oncological outcomes: Analysis of disease presentation and patient management, Jenna Morgan, University of Sheffield
- Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation: ‘Who, What, Why?', Prof Katie Gillies and Prof Graeme MacLennan, UoA
- Overview of Portfolio of Breast Trials recruiting in NHS Grampian, Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian
- 20:20-20:30 - Poster prizes and vote of thanks with Dr Deborah O’Neil OBE, Novabiotics and Laura Skaife-Knight, CEO, NHS Grampian
- 20:30 - Closing remarks with Beatrix Elsberger, NHS Grampian
- 08:30-09:00 - Coffee and Registration
- 09:00-09:15 - Welcome and Introduction to Day 2 Chair: New Reproductive Health and Childbirth Clinical Champion
- 09:15-10:45 - Reproductive Health and Childbirth Research Spotlight, Chaired by New Reproductive Health and Childbirth Clinical Champion with Maria Velo Higueras, RGU, Dr Maribel De Gouveia De Sa, NHS Grampian, Dr Katrina Forbes-McKay, RGU and Dr Lucky Saraswat, NHS Grampian
- 10:45-11:15 - Tea Break
- 11:15-11.35 - Accelerating patient access to advanced therapies in Scotland though the ATTC Network, Chaired by Karen Norris, NHS Grampian with Dr Lynn Manson, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Edinburgh
- 11:35-11.55 - Launch of CRDC UK Network’s research inclusion strategy with Dr Christiana Dinah, London North West UHNHST and Prof Seshadri Vasan, NHS Grampian, Co-Leads of Research Inclusion
- 11:55-12:25 - Spotlight Session – Ten Years of Rural Cancer Research in North-East Scotland: Insights for Equity and Improvement, Chaired by Prof Peter Murchie, UoA with Dr Natalia Calanzani, UoA and Dr Lisa Iversen, UoA
- 12:25-12:45 - Keynote – NHS Grampian’s Priorities for the Next Three Years with Laura Skaife-Knight, CEO, NHS Grampian
- 12:45-13.30 - Lunch and Networking
- 13:30-14:30 - Preserving Fertility After Cancer, Chaired by Dr Hugh Farrow Bishop, NHS Grampian & UoA with Prof Richard Anderson, University of Edinburgh, Dr Roseanne Rosario, University of Edinburgh and Prof Rod Mitchell, University of Edinburgh
- 14.30-14.45 - Closing Remarks Prof Seshadri Vasan, NHS Grampian
This event is sponsored by:
- Robert Gordon University
- University of Aberdeen
- NHS Scotland - Reproductive Health and Childbirth
- Aberdeen Convention Bureau
- ABPI
- Advances Therapy Treatment Centres
- Baxter
- Exact Sciences
- Gilead
- Lilly
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- NOVARTIS
- One BioHub
- Roche
- SHARE