Two NIHR HRC in Emergency and Acute Care researchers receive prestigious national appointments

Two professors from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Emergency and Acute Care have been appointed NIHR Senior Investigators, an award which recognises the most prominent and prestigious researchers in health and social care.

Senior Investigators are among the most outstanding and influential researchers funded by the NIHR. They are recognised for the quality and global reach of their research. They also help mentor the next generation, strengthen research culture and embed inclusion.

Evan Kontopantelis is a Professor of Data Science and Health Services Research at The University of Manchester (UoM), and NIHR HRC in Emergency and Acute Care Theme 3 Lead: Understanding the Problem.

Prof Kontopantelis’ research focuses on data science and health services using large-scale primary care databases to investigate important healthcare issues. His methodological interests include computational statistics, meta-analysis, time series analysis and validity issues around large databases in healthcare.

Within the HRC, Evan leads Theme 3 which determines the needs and barriers which may be encountered with new health technologies within urgent care.

“I’m delighted to receive this NIHR Senior Investigator award. It recognises the collective efforts of my collaborators and provides an exciting opportunity to accelerate our work using real‑world health data to improve the quality and equity of care. This support will help us drive forward innovative, policy‑relevant research in emergency care and population health, ensuring it has the greatest possible benefit for patients and communities.”

Paul Dark is a Professor of Critical Care Medicine, Vice Dean for Health and Care Partnerships and Research Professor at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at UoM. He is also a Critical Care Consultant at Salford Royal Hospital and holds an honorary research professorship at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

As a researcher, Prof Dark has a particular interest in sepsis, novel diagnostics, the development of integrated pathways of care and improving global humanitarian responses. Earlier this year, he co-authored a study, supported by the HRC, which showed how a simple blood test can tell doctors when it is safe to stop antibiotics in patients recovering from sepsis.

Within the HRC in Emergency and Acute Care, Prof Dark is a co-investigator in Theme 2: Secondary Care which focuses on the co-development of HealthTech interventions for inpatient and outpatient care pathways.

“I am delighted to be appointed as a NIHR Senior Investigator for a second term. This national award will allow me continue to provide a systems voice from Greater Manchester to help influence national research policy in applied health, social care, and public health, and to act as an international ambassador for the National Institute of Health and Care Research.”

Professor Dark is among 16 previous Senior Investigators who have been reappointed for a second term.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “By recognising leaders across the breadth of health and care, we are reinforcing NIHR’s commitment to supporting excellence wherever it is found and ensuring that research leadership mirrors the communities and professions it serves.

“Senior Investigators make a significant impact to the NIHR and the wider research landscape and I look forward to seeing the contributions and impact they make across health and care research.”

Researchers are awarded Senior Investigator status based on their contributions to the NIHR and their leadership of high-quality, internationally recognised research.

As outstanding leaders of patient and people-based research, NIHR Senior Investigators serve on NIHR funding committees and boards and provide leadership at a regional or national level. They serve as NIHR ambassadors, demonstrate research excellence, contribute to national growth, and champion the involvement of patients and communities into research. Find out more about the appointments on the NIHR website.