PhD student Zewen Lu, part of our stroke theme, has received six months funding from the NIHR Pre-Application Support Fund. These awards provide targeted support to help researchers develop proposals for future NIHR funding. The award will support Zewen’s transition from PhD student to independent postdoctoral researcher and will strengthen both the methodological and translational aspects of Zewen’s work and provide access to tools and networks that will help maximise the impact of his research and its benefit to patients.

Zewen’s current research focuses on modelling stroke severity and progression over time, particularly how symptom severity and treatment timing affect outcomes. He plans to refine and validate centile-based models using data from Salford Royal Hospital and international sources and explore the role of inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein and white blood cell counts in improving prediction models.

As part of the award, Zewen will undertake an observational placement at Salford Royal Hospital under the direction of our stroke theme lead, Professor Craig Smith and Dr Amit Kishore, Consultant Stroke Physician at Salford Royal, to gain valuable insights into stroke care in practice. There will be bespoke training in public and patient involvement and engagement with the aim of using these skills to engage with patients, carers, and the public at the next GJBRC Brain Health Day. Zewen will also complete training in equality, diversity and inclusion, advanced statistical modelling, and data management strategies.

Later this year, Zewen will present his work at the UK Stroke Forum in Aberdeen, and next year at the NIHR Statistics Group Conference in Sheffield. He is also planning a research visit to the University of Bergen to support international collaboration and data-sharing.

Looking ahead, Zewen intends to apply for the NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award under the Health Data Science scheme to further expand his training, collaboration, and research impact.

Congratulations to Zewen – we wish him every success as he continues his research journey.

Read Zewen’s blog on top tips for applying for funding 

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