A scientist from the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth has been recognised with an award for his research into brain tumours.
Dr Liyam Laraba, who completed his PhD through a Brain Tumour Research Studentship, has been awarded first prize at the 2nd Annual Neurofibromatosis Young Investigators Forum (NFYIF), in Houston, USA.
Liyam is a Research Fellow at our Plymouth Centre and is a part of Professor David Parkinson’s team investigating neurofibromatosis-related tumours. Liyam authored the recent paper on promising new non-surgical treatment for NF2 patients who have developed schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) tumours, potentially providing patients with an alternative treatment to surgery and radiotherapy to manage their condition.
Liyam presented his work on treatments for NF2-related tumours at the annual conference for early-career basic scientists and clinicians in the field of neurofibromatosis research. He was awarded first prize in the Distinguished Young Investigator Research Award, Clinician/Research Scientist category. This excellent recognition of the quality of his research comes with a $5,000 research grant.
He said: “The NFYIF in Houston was an amazing opportunity to network and share research ideas with like-minded early-career researchers in the field of neurofibromatosis brain tumours. I was especially pleased to win a prize which will further fund my research efforts within the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth”
The NFYIF is a highly competitive research and professional development forum which strives to encourage, promote, and empower Young Investigators.