BRAIN Unit director sits on panel at Health and Care Research Wales conference

On Thursday 10 October 2024, Health and Care Research Wales hosted its annual conference in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

The topic of this year’s event was ‘research matters’, and the drew researchers, clinicians and public involvement figures from across the country.

BRAIN Unit Director, Professor Liam Gray, attended this year’s conference as a panellist, discussing how collaboration across sectors drives investment and bring greater benefit to patients in Wales.

Professor Gray had the opportunity to discuss the significant achievements of the BRAIN Unit, how collaboration between BRAIN and partners, including the NHS has resulted in some world leading advanced neurotherapy clinical trials taking place here in Wales.

Hailing from Ireland, Professor Gray explained that unique collaborative opportunities drew him to Wales. He also announced plans for the BRAIN Unit as it becomes the Advanced Neurotherapies Centre and its ongoing aim to become a Centre of Research Excellence, having been awarded another five years of funding from the Health and Care Research Wales infrastructure.

Attendees also had the chance to find out more about BRAIN on its interactive stand throughout the day, with a new clinical trials snakes and ladders game which allowed participants to better understand the challenges and rewarding results of the clinical trials process.

We look forward to returning to next year’s conference as the Advanced Neurotherapies Centre and we will be sharing more information on our new name soon.