Prof. Helen Coleman

Professor, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast

Research interests: Biomarker Discovery, Cancer Epidemiology, Molecular Epidemiology

I am Lead of the Cancer Epidemiology Research Group at the Centre for Public Health at Queen's University Belfast. I am Deputy Director of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry.

My research mostly focuses on the epidemiology and early detection of gastrointestinal cancers and conditions, including pre-malignant conditions. I have particular interests in:

Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (major ongoing studies include: PI of the Northern Ireland Barrett's oesophagus register; OCCAMS consortium sub-study investigator)

Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer (major ongoing studies include: NI Biobank Epi700 cohort; NI Bowel Cancer Screening pathology data analysis; Early-onset colorectal cancer studies).

Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol and nutrition, in cancer risk and progression

Gastrointestinal pathology diagnosis trends and concordance (member of the International Barrett's Pathology Working Group)

I have expertise in molecular epidemiology (incuding molecular pathology epidemiology) studies, statistical analysis of population-based disease registers and real world evidence, and systematic reviews of lifestyle factors and biomarkers in cancer risk and progression.

I place considerable emphasis on interdisciplinary research, and am affiliated to the Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen's University Belfast. I have previously spent time conducting research at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, Ulster University, and at the MRC-Human Nutrition Research centre in Cambridge, England. Since 2018, I am a Visiting Scientist with the Fitzgerald Lab at the Early Cancer Institute (formerly MRC Cancer Unit) at the University of Cambridge, to further enhance interdisciplinary research efforts in oesophageal cancer as part of a Cancer Research UK funded Career Establishment Award.

Teaching

Dissertation supervisor

Postgraduate research: I have supervised 9 PhD, 1 MD and 1 MPhil postgraduate research students to completion. I am currently supervising 6 PhD students (2 as primary supervisor), 1 MD and 1 MPhil student. I have experience in supervising clinical trainees from Gastroenterology, General Practice, Oncology and Surgery specialites. Students have originated from the UK, Ireland, Vietnam, China, Turkey, Uganda and Angola.

Masters in Public Health: I mentor and supervise 1 MPH student dissertation each year.

BSc Human Biology; BSc Biomedical Sciences; BSc Intercalating Medical Sciences: I usually supervise 1-2 BSc dissertation students each year.

Undergraduate teaching

BMS 2109 Public Health Sciences module co-ordinator

Case-based learning facilitator, 1st year Medicine

Other teaching roles

I deliver tutorials and lectures on population research, study designs, global cancer incidence trends, nutrition and cancer epidemiology to undergraduate Medicine, and postgraduate Masters in Public Health and Masters in Molecular Pathology students. I was Module co-ordinator of the 3rd year Spring Student Selected Components from 2013-2018.

Achievements

Chair of the Trial Steering Committee for the BEST4 Trial: A Platform Trial to determine whether Cytosponge-biomarker technology reduces mortality from oesophageal cancer (2023-ongoing)

Co-Chair International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) Oesophageal Network (2022-ongoing)

Lead of Cancer Epidemiology Research Group, member of Senior Management Team, Centre for Public Health, 2018-ongoing

(Acting) Deputy Director of Northern Ireland Cancer Registry 2020-ongoing

QUB Patient and Public Involvement Working group, 2023-ongoing

Chair, Independent Data Monitoring Committee for the CONSCOP2 Trial, 2020-ongoing

Cancer Research UK Population Research Committee funding panel member 2018-ongoing

Yorkshire Cancer Research Fund Research Advisory Panel member 2020-ongoing

Elected member of the Oesophageal Section Committee, British Society of Gastroenterology 2023- ongoing.

Member, The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland (Membership number Application Reference Number: 1379)

Board Member, OCHRE (Nov 2021-ongoing)

Fellow of The Higher Education Academy

Associate Member, British Society of Gastroenterology (2010-ongoing)

Member, Irish Society of Gastroenterology (Membership number 368) 2022-ongoing.

Scientific Officer, Ulster Society of Gastroenterology committee 2017-2021

International Molecular Pathology Epidemiology 'Rising Investigator' award 2016

Queen's Gender Initiative Mentor 2015-ongoing

Cancer Research UK Population Research Postdoctoral Fellowship 2013-2015

Associate member of the British Society of Gastroenterology 2010-ongoing

World Cancer Research Fund International Fellow 2010