Recruiting the first European participant is a significant milestone and reflects the expertise, dedication, and close collaboration of the teams involved.
Our Clinical Research Facility (CRF) has recruited the first European participant into a major commercial study investigating a potential new treatment for Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases associated with Interstitial Lung Diseases (SARD-ILD).
The NIHR Research Delivery Network has formally congratulated Dr Raminder Aul, Principal Investigator and specialist in General Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, alongside his team and St George’s Hospital (Tooting), St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, on reaching this important milestone.
Elma’s role includes assessing whether laboratory processes are feasible for different studies and carrying out important pre-analytical work, such as centrifugation, pipetting and PBMC isolation. These steps are essential in preparing samples correctly so that researchers can generate reliable data.
Alongside this, Elma helps maintain the laboratory environment, ensures essential equipment runs smoothly, and supports colleagues by improving processes and training others in laboratory procedures.
Speaking about her role, Elma said:
“What I find most rewarding is knowing that my work directly supports clinical research and contributes to improving patient care. Being part of advancing new treatments, while maintaining high standards of quality and safety, is something I take great pride in.”
Her work is a reminder that clinical research is delivered by multidisciplinary teams, with every role contributing to the safe and successful running of studies. From sample processing to quality assurance, laboratory staff like Elma are central to helping research move forward and bringing new treatments closer to patients.