Case study: Your Path in Research - Kyla Brady, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Foundation Trust

Kyla Brady is a Research Physician Associate in Oncology Clinical Trials at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Foundation Trust. Here she explains how and why she began a career in research and what research brings to her patients.

Q: How did you become involved in health and care research?

A: My research career officially commenced when I completed a PhD in stem cell biology and then undertook a postdoctoral role in the academic setting investigating the translational potential of stem cells for therapeutic application. This research nurtured my interest in having a more direct and patient facing role within a clinical setting and led me to return to education to complete Physician Associate training. I now hold the position of a Research Physician Associate in Oncology Clinical Trials and feel immensely privileged to have the opportunity to amalgamate my research expertise and clinical knowledge in this new and exciting role.

Q: Why did you get involved in research?

A: My inspiration is driven by the translation of science into medicine for clinical benefit and I have always been interested in having a role in the journey as research transitions from bench to bedside.

Q: What do you enjoy about working in health and care research?

A: I have always been inspired by translational research with a focus on identifying and improving therapies for clinical application in healthcare. As a Research Physician Associate, I have a role in recruiting and managing patient care throughout a range of different clinical trials, with the aim of improving or identifying novel treatment options for cancer care as well as understanding the impact on quality of life for our patients. I thoroughly enjoy the continuity of care that I am able to give my patients through their cancer journey and offer potential treatment options that may not otherwise be available.

Q: How can research benefit/add to your career?

A: Having an active role in research is immensely fulfilling and enables health and care professionals to engage in the process that underpins the foundation of treatments that we offer to patients.

Q: Why do you think health and care research is important?

A: Health and care research is integral to guide and improve the quality of care that we are able to deliver to our patients and helps forge the way forward, developing today's research into tomorrow's standard of care treatment.

Q: What are your hopes for your career in research?

A: I intend to further develop my role as a Research Physician Associate, accepting the challenges associated with being an alternative healthcare professional within a research setting. I hope to continue having the opportunity to offer patients novel and innovative treatment options with the potential to benefit them now and recognising their instrumental role in helping others that come after them.

Q: Why is it important more people become involved in delivering health and care research?

A: I firmly believe that research should be embedded and integrated within healthcare rather than viewed as an addition. This collaborative approach involving all health and care colleagues would highlight the positive impact of research across all aspects of patient care.

Q: What impacts have you seen research make in health and care?

A: The remarkable transition of research studies from clinical trials to standard of care treatments.

Q: What would you say to someone thinking of starting a career in research?

A: A career in research enables you to be a building block in the fundamental foundation that drives innovation.