Young researcher program

Aim

Successful applicants were:

Leader

Karen Minde Fagerli, postdoc, MD PhD

Viewpoint

REMEDY has an ambitious agenda for career development and training of early career researchers. We have established a working group consisting of members at different stages of their career and representing the relevant partners that will set the agenda of educational and career developing activities of the center. Activities in 2022 included a joint seminar on user-involvement in research and the planning of a seminar in March 2023. The seminar will cover topics such as mentoring, building a research group, writing of successful grant applications, practical advice for study logistics, and international exchange.

Siri Opsahl Hetlevik; granted 150 000 NOK to develop a project examining if it is possible to reduce or end treatment with immunosupressants in children and adolescents successfully treated for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The main aim for this period is to produce successful applications for funding of the full project.

Alexander Fraser; granted 150 000 NOK for a project that examines surgery to reduce pain and improve function in damaged shoulders and elbows. This funding will allow him to continue research as he awaits his public PhD defence which is required to take up a post doc position.

Co-leader

Alexander Mathiessen, postdoc, MD PhD

One of the aims of the program is to stimulate career development though funding of early career researchers for a limited period at critical project stages. We announced a call for applications in October 2022, and received 12 project proposals. A committee reviewed the applications for scientific quality, originality, feasibility, potential impact and user-involvement as well as career impact for the applicants. The applications were overall of very good quality, and ultimately five projects received grants of a total of 500 000 NOK.

Johanna Gehin; granted 75 000 NOK for research time and cost required to investigate optimal blood levels of certain immunosuppressant treatments, which may be used to monitor treatment ensuring effective treatment without excessive side effects. This project will strengthen her international standing and collaborations.

Maria Dehli Vigeland; granted 75 000 NOK to complete her PhD project regarding how genetic factors relate to symptoms, MRI findings and novel treatments in patients with chronic low back pain.

Ingrid Bånerud; granted 50 000 NOK to perform a high-quality translation into Norwegian of a tool for evaluation of user-involvement in medical research. The translation will allow research regarding effective user-involvement and could be the basis for a future PhD project.