A young doctor at TPCH has been recognised for her research endeavours after becoming the recipient of two notable research awards.   

Thoracic Medicine Research Assistant Dr Nikita Botadra was recently awarded The University of Queensland (UQ) Sum Fong Prize in Radiology, and Best Oral Presentation in the Clinical Research Category at the Clinical Oncology Society Australia Symposium 2020.

Nikita’s awards relate to her current involvement in the multi-centre International Lung Cancer Screening trial being led in Australia by the UQ Thoracic Research Centre, TPCH Department of Thoracic Medicine, which focuses on the use of low dose CT scanning to support the early detection of lung cancer. Under the mentorship of TPCH leading thoracic physicians, Associate Professor Henry Marshall, Professor Ian Yang, Professor Kwun Fong and radiologists Dr Katrina Hopcraft and Dr Rachael O’Rourke, Nikita is undertaking a sub-study focusing on the use of these CT scans to screen for osteoporosis, a common co-morbidity in older smokers at risk of lung cancer.

With a background as a medical Principal House Officer, Nikita has a strong interest in radiology and research. For the last eight months, she has had the opportunity to explore the academic side to medicine, commencing with the lung screening trial at TPCH in October this year, as well as starting her Master of Philosophy degree at the UQ Faculty of Medicine which will build on her research.

Nikita said that she feels fortunate to have such strong mentorship by leading academic physicians at TPCH.

“I have learnt so much from these clinicians and their guidance and input has been instrumental in helping me achieve these awards. It is a great honour to be involved with leading research institutions like TPCH and the UQ Thoracic Research Centre,” Nikita said.