Health and medicine researchers who are changing lives with cutting edge research early in their careers are being celebrated in a special exhibition at the University's Parkinson Court.
Edward Taylor ignored the first bowel cancer home test kits he had received; he felt fit and healthy so thought he had nothing to worry about.
It was when his wife Linda encouraged him to send off a sample that the 71-year-old learnt he had advanced bowel cancer, which had already spread to his liver.
The news came as a huge shock to Edward, from Rawdon, and his family, after he'd felt no symptoms, but after an urgent referral to Leeds Cancer Centre he was successfully treated with chemotherapy and surgery, and was even able to play a part in research making treatment safer for patients in the future.
Edward said: "The trial was something simple I could take part in but has the potential to transform outcomes for future patients, trials like this are the only way to push things forward."
Image: Edward Taylor, 71, took part on Dr Alexios Dosis' research trial. Image: Ruby Lee @ruby.angelaleephoto
While he was in hospital receiving chemotherapy treatment, Edward was approached by Dr Alexios Dosis who invited him to take part in a clinical trial funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity.
Now their story is featured in a special exhibition about the inspirational work of early career researchers, funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity, on display in the university's Parkinson Court.
The trial Edward took part in looked at using innovative wearable devices to assess people's fitness at home ahead of their surgery – which is key to reducing complications after surgery - instead of using more traditional tests like riding an exercise bike.
Edward said: "Although I was fit and well enough to use the traditional bike test, I understood that many patients who are frail or have limited mobility would really struggle."
Understanding a patient's fitness helps doctors plan their care, and understand what complications they might face, but traditional methods like the exercise bike test are difficult for people with limited mobility.
Dr Alexios Dosis, a clinical fellow in the Leeds Institute of Medical Research, was part of the research team led by Professor David Jayne in the School of Medicine.
He said: "The trial conducted in Leeds is the largest of its kind in the world using wearable technology in the preoperative setting in clinical trials. Leeds Hospitals Charity funding has enabled Leeds to become one of the first to use innovative medical grade technology in research to make major abdominal surgery safer for patients.
"We are now analysing the results and hope that this will enable us to create new models with prediction scores, helping us to better understand risks that patients may face. It's been amazing to see how willing our patients are to support research that will benefit future generations of cancer patients."
Dr Dosis hopes that in time the technology can be used for "prehabilitation" for patients having surgery, and could be rolled out for other patients, for example people waiting for transplants.
These inspiring stories really showcase the impact early career researchers and their transformative research can make to patients and their families.
The exhibition, Our Research Story, is a collaboration between Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds to showcase the work of early career researchers funded by the Leeds Hospitals Charity.
Professor Nick Plant, the deputy vice chancellor for research and innovation, said: "At the University of Leeds our community of researchers work in collaboration to deliver transformational, fundamental and challenge-led research to advance knowledge and create solutions to local, national and global challenges.
"We recognise and value everyone involved in research, and these inspiring stories really showcase the impact early career researchers and their transformative research can make to patients and their families now, and in the future.
"The exhibition will bring prominence to how the funding from the Leeds Hospital Charity has enabled this amazing community of researchers to push the boundaries of medical knowledge and discovery to improve the health and well-being of our community in Yorkshire and beyond."
This exhibition is a way for us to show the people behind the projects and shine a spotlight on the incredible difference they are making.
Over the last five years the charity has invested £7.06 million in research projects across Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
The charity's head of grants Rebecca Baldaro- Booth said: "We're proud to support the work of early career researchers in Leeds, unlocking opportunities for them to progress in their career and spearhead life-changing research. This exhibition is a way for us to show the people behind the projects and shine a spotlight on the incredible difference they are making."
Our Research Story celebrates eight early career researchers who have worked on groundbreaking studies thanks to funding from the charity. It also shares the perspective of six patients, like Edward, and their families.
The exhibition features beautiful images captured by Leeds Arts University student photographer, Ruby Lee, and is on display in Parkinson Court South all week from February 24 to March 2 2025.
Alternatively, you can view the full exhibition online on the charity website.
