Cancer Epidemiology
The overarching aim of the Cancer Epidemiology Research Group is ‘to undertake research of clinical and public health relevance aimed at preventing cancer development and progression’. In addition to our core research in cancer epidemiology, we have several specialist research strengths:
- Early Diagnosis and Detection
- Premalignant conditions and Cancer Registration
- Global health research in cancer
- Applied statistical methods
The group is closely allied to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR). Researchers from the Cancer Epidemiology Research Group collaborate closely with colleagues in other centres, research and focus groups within Queen’s University Belfast, particularly the Health Services Research Group (CPH), and The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research.
We also work within a multi-disciplinary network of national and international collaborators and have particularly strong links with researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, National Cancer Institute, USA, the MRC Cancer Unit, Cambridge, and Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, USA.
The group has an outstanding record of early-career mentorship, hosting several Cancer Research UK Population Research Postdoctoral Fellowship awardees. We have an excellent record of supervising MPhil, MD and PhD students (including Clinical fellows) to completion of their higher degrees. Our group includes approximately 15-20 postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate research students representing diverse backgrounds and nationalities. We hold a PhD-student led group meeting weekly throughout the academic year, providing a vibrant and supportive environment in which to train in cancer epidemiology research.
The Cancer Epidemiology Research Group was founded by the late Professor Liam Murray. The Professor Liam Murray Cancer Epidemiology Symposium is held annually to showcase the continuing legacy of research in Cancer Epidemiology at Queen’s University Belfast.
Professor Helen Coleman
Cancer Epidemiology Research Group Lead
Current academic staff members and Queen's University Vice Chancellor's Fellows with links to their specific research interests:
Academic Staff
Professor Helen Coleman (Group Lead)
Dr Blánaid Hicks (VC Fellow)
Dr Andrew Kunzmann (VC Fellow)
Dr Úna McMenamin (UKRI Fellow)
Postdoctoral Research Fellows:
Dr Desiree Schliemann (HSR)
Students
Niamh Doherty - Principal Supervisor: Dr Blánaid Hicks
PhD Title: Medications Used for the Treatment of Prostate Enlargement and Cancer Risk
Sinead Hawkins - Principal Supervisor: Prof Helen Coleman
PhD Title: Monitoring care and outcomes for upper gastrointestinal cancer patients: evaluation of key performance indicators and national audit data
Martin Houston - Principal Supervisor: Prof Chris Cardwell
PhD Title: Hormonal and Therapeutic Risk Factors in Development of Oesophagogastric Cancer
Dorothy Johnston - Principal Supervisor: Prof Helen Coleman
PhD Title: The epidemiology of gastrointestinal pathology diagnoses: focus on serrated colorectal neoplasia
Lee Mason - Principal Supervisor: Dr Blánaid Hicks
PhD Title: Modelling multivariate time series of biomedical signals by compressed signal extraction – a neural computing approach
Chloe McCoy - Principal Supervisor: Dr Charlene McShane
PhD Title: A Population-Based Investigation Into Risk Factors and Surveillance Strategies for Endometrial Hyperplasia and Cancer
Erin McGrattan - Principal Supervisor: Prof Helen Coleman
PhD Title: Identifying characteristics of asymptomatic oesophageal cancer and Barrett’s oesophagus patients to inform novel prevention and early detection opportunities
Orla O'Neill - Principal Supervisor: Prof Helen Coleman
PhD Title: Referral pathways in young adults presenting to Primary Care with lower gastrointestinal symptoms suspicious for cancer
Tuce Hazal Tekin - Principal Supervisor: Dr Blánaid Hicks
PhD Title: An evaluation of the utilization and safety of antacids in patients diagnosed with Barrett's oesophagus