Research Stories

University of Glasgow

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From the University of Glasgow, Research Stories features in-depth conversations with researchers, offering insight into their career journeys, collaborations, and the impact of their research. The show aims to foster curiosity, demystify research, and open new conversations about how research is done across disciplines.

3d ago

Chris Halsey: What does the future look like for childhood leukaemia?

Professor Chris Halsey discusses the evolution of childhood leukaemia treatment, the search for kinder and gentler therapies, and the partnerships that make progress possible. In this episode: Advances in childhood leukaemia treatment and survival rates. New approaches to drug delivery. Immunotherapy and personalised cancer treatments. The role of multidisciplinary clinical teams in supporting children and families. The vision behind the Scottish Health & Biomedical Institute (SHBI). The importance of team science in addressing complex health challenges. Guest Bio Professor Chris Halsey is Professor of Paediatric Haemato-Oncology at the University of Glasgow and a leading researcher in childhood leukaemia. Her work focuses on developing safer, more targeted treatments for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Alongside her laboratory research, she is actively involved in clinical trials, international research collaborations and multidisciplinary initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children with cancer. Chris also plays a leadership role in the Scottish Health & Biomedical Institute (SHBI), which brings together researchers from across Scotland to tackle complex health challenges. Partnership Ecosystem Research doesn't happen in isolation. This section highlights the organisations, networks and collaborators that help turn ideas into impact. University of Glasgow NHS Scotland Children and families affected by cancer European childhood leukaemia trial networks Clinical researchers Data scientists AI specialists Biomedical researchers Scottish Health & Biomedical Institute Cancer charities and funders Resources & Links Guest & Research Professor Chris Halsey – University of Glasgow Staff Profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/cancersciences/staff/chrishalsey/ School of Cancer Sciences: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/cancersciences/ Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute: https://www.crukscotlandinstitute.ac.uk/ Key Projects & Programmes Scottish Health & Biomedical Institute (SHBI): https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/shbi/ Collaborators & Partners NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: https://www.nhsggc.scot/ Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG): https://www.cclg.org.uk/ Organisations Mentioned Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ NHS Scotland: https://www.nhs.scot/ Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group: https://www.cclg.org.uk/ Further Reading Blood Cancer UK: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/ Leukaemia UK: https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/ Cancer Research UK – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/childrens-cancer/acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia Related Initiatives Health Data Research UK: https://www.hdruk.ac.uk/ Medical Research Council: https://www.ukri.org/councils/mrc/ Further Resources World Health Organization – Childhood Cancer: https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancers National Cancer Institute – Childhood Leukaemia: https://www.cancer.gov/ Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, artwork and original music by Nick. Production assistants: Temiloluwa Ajayi & Conor Molloy.
Jul 31

Naveed Sattar: Can We Solve Obesity?

Featuring Professor Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine and Honorary Consultant, University of Glasgow Summary Professor Naveed Sattar discusses weight loss drugs, the role of curiosity in scientific discovery, the importance of challenging accepted ideas, and how evidence-based research shapes healthcare policy. Drawing on decades of work in diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, he explains how randomised clinical trials transform medical practice, why obesity has become one of the defining public health challenges of our time, and how emerging weight-loss therapies could reshape the future of healthcare. In this episode: The origins of curiosity, scientific thinking and challenging established expertise. How research evidence progresses from observation to world-changing clinical practice. The importance of randomised controlled trials and why they remain the gold standard of medical evidence. Key discoveries linking obesity to diabetes, fatty liver disease, psoriasis and other long-term health conditions. The growing obesity crisis, changing food environments and the role of public policy. The opportunities and limitations of new GLP-1 and weight-loss medications. Working with policymakers, industry and healthcare systems to improve public health outcomes. The future of diabetes prevention and treatment research. Lessons on leadership, humility, resilience, mentorship and lifelong learning. Guest Bio Professor Naveed Sattar is an internationally recognised scientist and Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, as well as an Honorary Consultant at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. His research focuses on the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. He has authored more than 1,000 scientific publications, contributed to major international clinical guidelines, and played important roles in landmark clinical trials. In 2023, he was appointed Chair of the UK Government Obesity Healthcare Goals Programme. Resources & Links Professor Naveed Sattar – University of Glasgow Staff Profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/cardiovascularmetabolic/staff/naveedsattar/ School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/cardiovascularmetabolic/ Partnership Ecosystem University of Glasgow NHS Scotland Glasgow Royal Infirmary UK Government Obesity Healthcare Goals Programme American Diabetes Association (ADA) American Heart Association (AHA) Pharmaceutical companies developing obesity and diabetes treatments Clinical trial networks across the UK and internationally Policymakers and government advisers Public health organisations Research groups specialising in obesity, diabetes, cardiology and metabolic medicine Key Organisations Mentioned American Diabetes Association (ADA): https://diabetes.org/ American Heart Association (AHA): https://www.heart.org/ NHS Scotland: https://www.nhs.scot/ NHS – Obesity: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/ NHS – Type 2 Diabetes: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/ Clinical Trials & Studies Discussed DIRECT Trial WOSCOPS ASCOT Researchers Mentioned Professor Mike Lean: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/healthwellbeing/staff/michaellean/ Professor Roy Taylor: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/staff/profile/roytaylor.html Professor John Buse: https://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/endocrinology-metabolism/faculty/john-b-buse-md-phd/ Professor Jim Shepherd: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Shepherd+J+WOSCOPS Obesity & Diabetes Research UK Government Obesity Healthcare Goals Programme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-sciences-healthcare-goals/obesity-healthcare-goals Obesity Health Alliance: https://obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/ World Obesity Federation: https://www.worldobesity.org/ Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/ Medicines Discussed Tirzepatide (Mounjaro): https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tirzepatide/ GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabetes/treatments/tablets-and-medication/glp-1 British Heart Foundation – Cholesterol: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-cholesterol Statins: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/ Journals & Publications Mentioned The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/ British Journal of Ophthalmology: https://bjo.bmj.com/ Further Reading Diabetes Remission Research: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal/ WHO Obesity Factsheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight Office for Health Improvement and Disparities: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-health-improvement-and-disparities Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, artwork and original music by Nick. Production assistants: Temiloluwa Ajayi & Conor Molloy
10/12/2025

Qammer Abbasi: From Body-Centric Networks to All-Senses Holography

Professor Qammer H. Abbasi, Professor of Applied Electromagnetics & Sensing, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow. How close are we to a future where nano sensors inside the human body can detect disease before symptoms appear? Or where holograms can be “teleported” with all five senses intact? This episode features Professor Qammer Abbasi, whose research explores body-centric wireless communication, nanoscale terahertz networks, and the ethical challenges of emerging technologies. Abbasi explains why interdisciplinary collaboration is essential, and why engineers, medics, data scientists, environmentalists and others must work together to shape technology responsibly. This episode explores: Body-centric wireless networks and their applications in healthcare Nanoscale terahertz communication for early cancer detection The role of industry collaboration in shaping usable technologies Ethical challenges in 6G and integrated sensing Abbasi’s vision of “all-senses holography” and the future of human connection Guest Bio Professor Qammer H. Abbasi is Professor of Applied Electromagnetics and Sensing at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, where he co-directs the Communication, Sensing & Imaging (CSI) Hub and the EPSRC CDT DiveIn. His research covers antennas for 5G/6G, terahertz sensing, body-centric wireless networks, nano-communication, and biomedical applications of electromagnetics. He has published more than 500 papers and 11 books, secured over £13M in research funding, and serves on editorial boards and IEEE committees. Resources & Links Professor Qammer Abbasi’s Research Profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/staff/qammerabbasi/ James Watt School of Engineering: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/ Communication, Sensing & Imaging Research Unit: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/csi/ Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, artwork and original music by Nick.
09/21/2025

Nicol Keith: Failure, Collaboration, and the Culture of Research

Professor Nicol Keith, Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Glasgow In this episode, Professor of Molecular Oncology Nicol Keith reflects on his career so far and gets candid about successes, failures, and lessons learned along the way. Our conversation goes deep into Nicol’s passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and how it has influenced his work. We also talk creative stamina, productive self-doubt, public engagement and much more, so tune in! Guest Bio Nicol is driven by curiosity about what lies ahead and by the potential for research to create real societal impact. His work focuses on translational cancer research, including biomarker development, clinical trials, and cancer cell immortality. He has successfully moved preclinical findings into clinical studies, and values global collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches. Nicol has played key roles in national, European, and international consortia, both as a contributor and as a leader. With extensive international experience in career, research, and policy development, Nicol chairs and serves on several funding committees spanning disciplines from medical sciences to social sciences and the humanities. His work with international funding agencies reflects his skill in building complex partnerships, understanding local needs in a global context, and developing and implementing effective impact evaluation. Resources & Links Professor Nicol Keith’s Research Profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/cancersciences/staff/nicolkeith/ The Curious Researchers: https://medium.com/the-curious-researchers Emerging Ecologies: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicolkeith_experience-heritage-future-working-in-activity-7236401036104531968-8-Ie/ https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/331622/ Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, and original music by Nick.
09/14/2025

Mia Perry: Rethinking Literacy in an Ever-Changing World

Mia Perry, Professor of Arts and Literacies in Education, University of Glasgow In this episode, Mia chronicles how she went from studying Theatre and Russian Studies to a career in pedagogical research, and how her background is woven into her current work. She explains her work with the Sustainable Futures in Africa Network and explores the ethical dilemmas of operating in a complex modern research system. The discussion also delves into the meaning of “pluriversal literacies”, and the role of arts and play within learning and knowledge exchange. Guest Bio Professor Mia Perry explores the ways in which we learn, communicate, and share knowledge. Mia is especially interested in how creating and experiencing arts and culture can shape the way we learn. She explores the relationships that are part of every act of reading, writing, and learning, and she looks at these experiences not just for what they represent, but for how they make us feel. Resources & Links Mia’s Research profile: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/education/staff/miaperry/ Pluriversal Literacies for Sustainable Futures: When Words Are Not Enough: https://www.routledge.com/Pluriversal-Literacies-for-Sustainable-Futures-When-Words-Are-Not-Enough/Perry/p/book/9781032285146?srsltid=AfmBOoptEiDyEnsNMdG6Wq2GTc1CHORyHIaxgZuq03jd5RUkdZ81V7ZZ Sustainable Futures in Africa Network: https://sustainablefuturesglobal.org/ Hosted and produced by Nick Bruce, with questions, recording, editing, mixing, and original music by Nick.

From the University of Glasgow, Research Stories features in-depth conversations with researchers, offering insight into their career journeys, collaborations, and the impact of their research. The show aims to foster curiosity, demystify research, and open new conversations about how research is done across disciplines.

Creator

University of Glasgow
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

8
Rating

Clean
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© Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
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