A consultant neurologist from University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised nationally for her contributions to research.

Dr Alexandra Sinclair, who is also a NIHR Clinician Scientist and senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham, has been short-listed for the prestigious NIHR, the research arm of the NHS, Industry Principal Investigator Awards.

Dr Sinclair was nominated for the award by officials at the Clinical Research Network West Midlands for her work in developing innovative models for recruiting participants to her research studies at UHB, in particular two studies into the rare brain condition idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

“I am delighted by the nomination,” she said. “IIH has devastating consequences for patients, including blindness and debilitating headaches. We are running clinical trials aimed at identifying optimal ways to manage the condition, including methods to support weight management and novel drugs.

“These studies  would not be possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of the nurses from the CRN (Jo McCormack and Bridie Rowbotham);  the  Wellcome Trust/NIHR Clinical Research Facility at UHB (Trish Brady, Lisa Thomas, Jo Dasgin, Karen Boardman and Jo Gray); the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit (Ryan Ottridge and Cally Rick); the research fellows and lecturers (Keira Markey and Ghaniah Hassan-Smith); neuro-ophthalmology, including orthoptists (Clare Hazels’ team); and the patient charity IIH UK and their members.

“The progress and success of clinical trials is very much a team effort and is vital to improve patient outcomes. Being shortlisted for this award is recognition of not just my efforts but those of everyone involved.”

Dr Sinclair is highly active in engaging patients with research in her role as patron of IIH UK and has also put significant effort into building a network for IIH research across the UK, with hospitals from Glasgow to London already being involved.

She is among nine clinical researchers in the West Midlands region to be shortlisted for these awards. The results will be announced at a ceremony on 19 February in London.

Dr Sinclair is currently appealing for women with a BMI greater than 35 to take part in one of her IIH studies.

Additionally she is interested to hear from anyone who suffers between five and 12 migraines per month to potentially take part in research into a novel device which may help the condition.

For more details on either study please contact Bridie Rowbotham.

Email: Bridie.Rowbotham@uhb.nhs.uk

For more information about IIH see the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension page (see link below).