Quadram Institute and Invest in ME Research Announce
New Research Fellowship for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
the
Invest in ME Research "LunaNova" Fellowship
Invest in ME Research proudly unveils the launch of the 'The Invest in ME Research ‘LunaNova’ Fellowship for ME, a new research initiative that will be undertaken at the Quadram Institute, located within Norwich Research Park, with UK and European collaboration.
This fellowship, made possible through the remarkable generosity of LunaNova, the brand of a small UK technology company, underscores the commitment to advancing the Centre of Excellence for ME approach and the benefits it provides.
This marks the second fellowship championed by Invest in ME Research, focusing on elevating ME research efforts.
The 'LunaNova' Fellowship seeks to deepen our understanding of ME and accelerate progress toward effective treatments.
''LunaNova' Fellowship Detail
The two-year 'LunaNova' Fellowship exemplifies a pivotal investment in ME research, reinforcing commitment to driving progress in the field.
The fellowship leverages Quadram Institute's world-class facilities, incorporating collaboration with European ME Research Group (EMERG) member, Professor Elisa Oltra from the Catholic University of Valencia, Spain, and immune ageing specialists at the University of Birmingham.
This collaboration extends our dedication to international partnerships in advancing ME research.
The Quadram advertisement for this position provides more details and is at this link.
"Empowering Excellence: LunaNova's Support Drives Invest in ME Research's Vision for ME"
Invest in ME Research Chairman, Kathleen McCall, expressed gratitude for the support received from LunaNova, stating,
"This significant investment underscores our confidence in the Quadram Institute and the direction of ME research. It not only funds critical research
but also aligns with our vision of continuing the development of the UK Centre of Excellence for ME in Norwich Research Park.
Having already funded five PhDs, the only clinical trial for ME in the UK, and now two fellowships,
the charity is dedicated to continue supporting this unique Centre of Excellence for ME research."
"We thank LunaNova for their incredible and generous donation, which exemplifies confidence in both our organisation and the shared vision of
advancing ME research in Norwich Research Park.
This generous donation holds special importance for our charity, as it originates from individuals within the company who grasp the gravity of the disease,
emphasising their profound awareness of the challenges we face."
Mike Buckingham, CEO of LunaNova’s parent company, said:
“We have seen first hand the devastating impact ME has on patients’ lives.
Even at its mildest, it is a condition that can completely stunt a person’s potential and at its severest is nothing short of a
living death that persists for decades.”
“Biomedical research is the only path that can credibly solve this, yet it has been spectacularly neglected over the last few decades in favour of now debunked psychological approaches. During this time the global economic impact of this condition has run into trillions of US dollars. Whilst we wait for Governments and policymakers to wake up to the gravity of the situation and begin to fund biomedical research at a scale and pace truly commensurate with the condition’s impact, it is largely charities that have been driving progress. Invest In ME Research (IIMER) are one such charity. They have worked tirelessly in the UK to raise awareness and promote funding of biomedical research.”
Augmenting the UK Centre of Excellence for ME
Quadram Institute, situated within the thriving Norwich Research Park, is the leading location for a Centre of Excellence for ME in the UK and Europe. Its dedication to ME research, state-of-the-art facilities, and collaborative environment deserve continued funding to propel discoveries in this complex disease.
This fellowship builds upon the foundations of the UK/European Centre of Excellence for ME research hub in Norwich Research Park, highlighting the value of concentrating research efforts and forming a strategy of biomedical research into this disease. By bringing together world-class researchers, facilities, and international collaborations, this initiative aims to expedite progress in understanding and treating ME.
As the 'LunaNova' Fellowship propels ME research forward, Invest in ME Research, alongside Quadram Institute, remains steadfast in their commitment to unraveling the complexities of ME.
The first-ever fellowship for ME, the Invest in ME Research 'Ian Gibson' Fellowship for ME, was announced in 2022 – in memory of Dr Ian Gibson (1).
Quadram Institute and Invest in ME Research remain committed to advancing research into ME, offering hope for the future of individuals and families affected by this debilitating disease. As the charity continues to invest in ground-breaking initiatives, the journey towards unravelling the complexities of ME takes a significant leap forward.
References and Further Reading
- “UK Charity Announces First Fellowship for Research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in Norwich Research Park”
- Quadram Press Release: The IiMER LunaNova Fellowship
- Research into ME at Quadram Institute
- UK Charity Invest in ME Research grants funding for continued research into ME, including a clinical trial at the Quadram Institute.
- UK/European Centre of Excellence for ME Executive Summary
- #InvestinMEresearch - No Longer a Slogan - Now a Reality
Helping Us to Energise ME Research
Our aim is to develop and sustain high-quality biomedical research into ME within a Centre of Excellence hub and with European collaboration with other institutes. This will lead to fundamental science being performed leading to multi-site clinical trials, improvement in standards and data analysis, the development of treatments, improvement of diagnosis and a more informed view of this disease amongst the media and the public.
This strategy will also improve education amongst clinicians and encourage more researchers to become involved in this disease.
The more research that we can fund then the more rapid the progress will be for treating this disease.
We therefore welcome all support for the work carried out by the charity that will help us to influence and to inform, not just by words but by actions.
