Call for entries as Novartis Oncology seeks to honour young investigators advancing science in the fight against kidney cancer

Young clinical investigators with an interest in translational, fundamental or clinical kidney cancer research are being called on to enter the 2011 Promising Renal Investigators Meeting (PRIMe) Awards and stand a chance to win a €10,000 grant.

These prestigious annual awards recognise the innovative programmes and research initiatives that are advancing science in kidney cancer, and aim to recognise those rising stars in the field of oncology across the United Kingdom and France.

The grant will be issued following a review of project entries by an independent jury of highly respected international experts including Mr. Michael Aitchison, Prof. Tim Eisen, Dr. Bernard Escudier, Dr. Paul Nathan, Prof. Sylvie Negrier, and Prof. Jean-Jacques Patard.

Dr. Lucy Gossage, a clinical research fellow with Professor Tim Eisen based at the Cambridge Research Institute, was the recipient of the inaugural grant in 2010. Commenting on her win, Dr Gossage said; “Working so closely with some of Europe’s pioneers in kidney cancer research and having the opportunity to collaborate with peers in the UK and France, has been fundamental in shaping my future in this field. Since winning the PRIMe Award, I have made significant strides towards completing my research and reaching my goal of making a real difference for patients with kidney cancer. I firmly believe that these awards will be critical in driving continued excellence in a disease area that is often overlooked.”

Entries for the 2011 PRIMe Awards close on September 4th and the eight shortlisted finalists (four representatives from France and four representatives from the UK) will be announced on October 2nd. All those shortlisted will be invited to present their work and take part in a two-day meeting to be held in London on 1st and 2nd December 2011, where the overall winner in each country will be announced. The two-day meeting aims to help improve candidates’ medical writing, critical review, statistical analysis, and oral communications skills, as well as give them the chance to meet with and be mentored by some of the most recognised European experts within kidney cancer. 

Dr Paul Nathan, consultant medical oncologist, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and PRIMe Awards juror said; “This is a unique career opportunity for a specialist working within this important area of clinical research and we strongly urge clinical investigators with an interest in translational, fundamental or clinical kidney cancer research to apply. Novartis Oncology’s goal with this award is to not only recognise outstanding work and thereby share best practice, but to provide rising stars with the developmental support and skills they need to help them achieve their goals.”



Source: Novartis Oncology