Pioneering Approaches in Experimental and Translational Medicine: A Two-Day Course

There is an urgent need for new interventions for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Experimental medicine studies and early-phase trials are important in providing mechanistic information, optimising and de-risking therapeutic development before proceeding to later stage clinical trials.
This two-day, in-person course aims to inspire and prepare researchers embarking on careers in translational and experimental medicine approaches to psychiatric and neurological conditions.
It is hosted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
About the course
The course will introduce pioneering approaches across research methods, including neuroimaging, psychopharmacology, digital therapeutics, sleep, neuromodulation and machine learning/Artificial Intelligence (AI), whilst covering a range of practical essentials – from how to ensure that your study design is feasible, incorporate participant and patient perspectives, embed reproducibility and open science, and foster industry partnerships. In short, the course will highlight the skills you need to succeed and provide guidance on how to develop them.
The course will feature inspiring talks and case studies, panel discussions with Q&As and networking opportunities, and will be delivered by guest speakers from the NIHR Maudsley BRC, university researchers, clinical professionals, industry experts and research participants who have direct experience of taking part in translational and experimental medicine studies.
Programme Highlights:
Thursday 13 March
- Inspiring Perspectives with Paola Dazzan, Professor of Neurobiology of Psychosis, King's IoPPN and Theme Co-Lead for Psychosis and Mood Disorders, NIHR Maudsley BRC
- Deep Dive into Experimental and Translational Medicine in Psychiatry – What it is and Why it is Important with Mitul Mehta, Professor of Neuroimaging and Psychopharmacology, King's IoPPN and Theme Lead for Experimental Medicine and Novel Therapeutics, NIHR Maudsley BRC
- Participant and Patient Perspectives on Being Recruited and Taking Part in Research
- Fundamentals of Study Design, Statistics, Neuroimaging and Psychopharmacology with Steve Williams, Professor of Neuroimaging and Head of Neuroimaging Department, King's IoPPN; Dr John Hodsoll, Statistician, King's IoPPN and Alice Egerton, Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology, King’s IoPPN
- Pioneering Methods: Opportunities and Challenges Case Studies
- Panel Discussion: Study Feasibility, chaired by Nick Beckley-Hoeschler, Lecturer, King's IoPPN
Friday 14 March
- Inspiring Perspectives with Guest Speaker Oliver Robinson, Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health and co-group leader of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Group, University College London
- How to: Incorporate Patient and Public Involvement and Share your Research
- Pioneering Methods: Opportunities and Challenges Case Studies
- Panel Discussion: “Things I wish I’d known” – Overcoming Challenges in the Design and Execution of Translational Research
- How-To: Robust, Open, Pre-Registered and Reproducible Science with Dr Olivia Kowalczyk, RIOT Open Science Club
- Industry Perspectives on Experimental Medicine with Guest Speaker, Dr Elizabeth Tunbridge, Director of Translational Neuroscience, Boehringer Ingelheim and Honorary Research Investigator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
- Panel Discussion: Skills You Need to Succeed (from Data Science to Project Management) and How to Develop Them, featuring speakers including: Professor Grainne McAlonan Director, NIHR Maudsley BRC and Professor of Translational Neuroscience, King's IoPPN; Dr Ndaba Mazibuko, Clinical Research Fellow, King's IoPPN, Repurposing Lead, Centre for Innovative Therapeutics
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Who is this course aimed at?
The event is tailored to those at early career stages, including PhD students, research assistants and early postdocs, looking to enhance their knowledge and abilities in conducting translational research.
Event organisers
This course is being organised by Professor Mitul Mehta (NIHR Maudsley BRC Experimental Medicine and Novel Therapeutics Theme Lead), Professor Alice Egerton (Deputy Theme Lead), Professor Patricia Zunszain, Dr John Hodsoll, Dr Cathy Davies, Dr Luke Jelen, Caitlin Pentland and Bartlomiej Pliszka. It is hosted by the BRC's Experimental Medicine and Novel Therapeutics Theme.
Dates
Thursday 13 March, 10:00 - 17:30 - followed by drinks reception until 19:30
Friday 14 March 2025, 9:30 - 16:30
We understand this event falls during Ramadan; please see this link for more information about prayer rooms in the Strand campus and Friday prayers.
Tickets
Tickets for this course are £40, which should be recoverable through bench fees/studentship conference funds for eligible students. BRC funded PhD Students can use their RTSG funds to pay for this course.
For King's students and staff with no other means, a small number of subsidised places have been reserved, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact maudsley.brc@kcl.ac.uk if this applies to you and you would like to attend.
Please note this event is in-person only.
Sustainability
- We encourage attendees to bring Tupperware or take any leftover food home / to their office spaces.
- We encourage our attendees to choose sustainable or active travel options, please see our guidance on the King’s website for more information
- King’s supports the efforts of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which are ‘a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.' The event is supporting several of the 17 Goals, including Number 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing.
About the NIHR Maudsley BRC
The NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King's College London.
We bring together scientists, clinicians, allied health professionals, service users and carers from across South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London.
Our leadership group consists of clinicians and academics working in mental health, neurology, novel therapeutics and informatics.
Our Service User Advisory Group guides our research priorities and activities, and we are managed and governed by an Executive Board, Management Committee and external independent Scientific Advisory Board.
We are also part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.
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