The Centre for Trials and Population Data Science
The Centre for Trials and Population Data Science is a multidisciplinary research centre with a vision to harness the power of data to reduce the burden of cancer by developing and applying rigorous research methodology.
How we research at the centre
The centre applies cutting-edge trials and data science methods to important areas of cancer research such as the late effects of treatment, early detection and risk prediction.
It looks to develop a community of scientists working in trials and population data science and promote its work widely to help improve research outcomes and quality at the ICR, The Royal Marsden and beyond.
Group Leader: Clinical Cancer Epidemiology
Director of ICR-CTSU: ICR-CTSU Radiotherapy, Urology and Head and Neck Cancers Trials
ICR Division of Clinical Studies
Professor of Clinical Trials, Group Leader: ICR-CTSU Breast and Rare Cancers Trials
Group Leader: ICR-CTSU Integrative Genomic Analysis in Clinical Trials
Lead statistician: ICR-CTSU
Group Leader: ICR-CTSU Early Phase and Adaptive Trials, Genetics and Epidemiology
ICR Division of Genetics and Epidemiology
Professor Montse Garcia-Closas
Group Leader: Integrative Cancer Epidemiology
Senior Staff Scientist: Clinical Cancer Epidemiology
Staff Scientist: Integrative Cancer Epidemiology
Group Leader: Oncogenetics
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Karen Thomas
Principal Statistician, Research Data and Statistics Unit
Consultant Physician: Respiratory Medicine
Dr Aislinn Macklin-Doherty
Research objectives
In the last decade the methodologies used in population-based health research including clinical trials and observational studies have both advanced and converged. Trials have harnessed methods and data from observational research and vice versa. Examples include external control arms in clinical trials, trials within cohort studies (TWiCS), and target-trial emulation in clinical epidemiology.
The aim of the Centre for Trials and Population Data Science is to build on these advancements to develop and apply rigorous methods for the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials and observational studies to advance our research into cancer treatment effects, risk prediction and early detection.
The centre aims to apply cutting-edge trials and population data science methods to strategically important areas of cancer research including cancer treatment effects, risk prediction and early detection.
The centre aims to advance methods research in trials and population data science to improve research outcomes and quality.
The Centre aims to build a community of methodologists and raise the profile of ICR/RM’s leadership in trials methodology and population data science research.
Our key community building activities include:
- Monthly seminar series: features presentations from methodological experts across the field. Previous seminars have covered risk prediction, real world evidence for health technology assessments and transforming data for clinical trials.
- Coffee and coding: a casual monthly meetup to chat about coding topics, share ideas, and learn from each other.
- Annual PhD student day: an annual event that brings together all doctoral candidates within the centre. Each PhD student presents their research progress and receives constructive feedback and questions from supervisors and fellow students. The event fosters academic exchange, encourages collaboration, and supports peer learning. In addition to presentations, the day may include a guest talk or seminar on a topic of interest to the student community.
- Research meetings: Feature presentations from group leaders, PhD students, and research staff across the Centre, offering a valuable opportunity for early-career researchers to develop public speaking skills while showcasing ongoing research with a focus on methodology and conduct.
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