The David L. Sackett Young Investigator Award recognizes exceptional early-career researchers who exemplify the values of creativity, scientific excellence, and impactful contributions to clinical research. Named after Dr. David L. Sackett, a pioneer in clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine, the award continues to honor his legacy by celebrating the achievements of young investigators shaping the future of the field.
For the 2023 award, nominees had to be the first author of their article and under 35 years old at the time of submission. From a highly competitive field of nominations, the editorial team and its advisers selected this year’s winner: Neil Wallace.
Neil, based at University College Cork (UCC) and a member of the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN), was supervised by Dr. Frances Shiely. He was recognized for his groundbreaking study, “Under-recording and underreporting of participant ethnicity in clinical trials is persistent and is a threat to inclusivity and generalizability.”
This impactful research highlights the critical issue of underreporting ethnicity in clinical trials, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and representative research practices. Neil’s work sheds light on persistent gaps that hinder the generalizability of trial findings and calls for action to ensure greater transparency and diversity in clinical research.
The HRB-TMRN and University College Cork are proud to see one of their own receive such a distinguished honor, reflecting the strength of mentorship, collaboration, and innovation fostered within the network.
Congratulations to Neil Wallace, Dr. Frances Shiely, and the HRB-TMRN team at UCC for this outstanding achievement, which exemplifies the spirit of the David L. Sackett Young Investigator Award.
