This year marks the third year of the prestigious Translational Research Training in Hematology (TRTH) programme, and the third year that the Centre for Haemato-Oncology at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London has produced a successful candidate.

The TRTH program is a joint effort of the European Hematology Association (EHA) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and is focused on helping early-career scientists build successful careers in hematological translational research. Twenty scientists are selected through a competitive 2 stage process – an initial letter of intent with an abstract of their research followed by a full research proposal. The programme contains a week-long spring course and two follow-up meetings where trainees make a presentation on the status of their research.  The TRTH faculty is made up of international leaders in hematology who cover biostatistics and biomarkers, genetics and molecular biology, ethics, and phase I clinical study design.

Our prize-winners discuss their experiences below;

“I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in the inaugural TRTH meeting in 2010. 20 junior haematology researchers from Europe and North America, we converged for a week in the company of some of the most highly respected senior clinician scientists and statisticians in this field. It was a humbling experience and an immense privilege to be able to work through my own research plans with world experts.”

Dr Simon Hallam

“The EHA-ASH TRTH award provides a fantastic opportunity for early career researchers from both sides of the Atlantic to come together and be mentored by some of the leading experts and statisticians in translational haematology. At the initial week-long meeting I was inspired by the work of my fellow researchers and excited to be able to get a peer review of my research in an informal small working group setting. It was also an excellent forum to exchange ideas with fellow researchers.”

Dr Sunil Iyengar

“I feel honoured to participate in the 2012 TRTH meeting. The spring course was an intense unique experience which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was very important for my work and my progression to have an excellent panel of peer reviewers exploring and criticizing my project. Meeting the faculty and another 19 inspired young researchers also motivated me to network and expand my research aims."

Rita Coutinho

For more information about EHA-ASH Translational Research Training in Hematology, click here.