A University of Leicester cancer specialist and a University specialist physiotherapist have scooped prestigious national research awards.
Dr Harriet Walter, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology and Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist has been named one of 20 NIHR20 Research Delivery Leaders, while Dr Hannah Young, Associate Professor of Lifestyle and Rehabilitation and Honorary Specialist Physiotherapist has been named among 20 NIHR20 Rising Research Leaders.
The prizes, which mark the 20th anniversary of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), celebrate talented leaders and rising researchers who are making an exceptional contribution to health and care research across the UK, improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and driving economic growth across the country.
Dr Walter is the co-lead for the Leicester Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) and Director of the Hope Cancer Trials Centre (HCTC) within University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), part of the NIHR BRC Leicester’s Cancer theme.
Under her leadership the HCTC has achieved significant growth, with a portfolio of over 200 open trials, and expansion of the delivery team, including the appointment of the first Advanced Clinical Nurse practitioner in cancer clinical trials within University Hospitals Leicester. She has also helped to secure funding for infrastructure to deliver more early phase trials, including first in human studies, and a significant increase in early phase trial delivery and recruitment through the HCTC, translating to increased opportunities for potential trial participants.
Her leadership has improved study setup timelines and fostered inclusion by identifying barriers to participation. Furthermore, she has mentored numerous early-career researchers and established strategic academic-industry partnerships.
Dr Walter said: “I’m honoured to be selected for this NIHR20 Research Delivery Leaders award along with colleagues from across multiple specialties and disciplines. None of this would have been possible without working with a truly fantastic team. This recognition reflects not only the hard work and achievements of the team but also the willingness and generosity of patients, carers and community members in supporting our research programmes with a common goal to improve clinical outcomes for those at risk of, with a current diagnosis of or past history of cancer.”
Dr Young leads research focused on rehabilitation and lifestyle support for people living with multiple long-term conditions and frailty within the NIHR BRC Leicester’s. Lifestyle theme.
She has built a strong clinical academic career, securing major research funding, publishing widely, and becoming the University of Leicester’s first clinical academic allied health professional jointly appointed as Associate Professor of Lifestyle and Rehabilitation and an Honorary Specialist Physiotherapist.
A key focus of her work is building research opportunities for underrepresented professional groups. She developed Leicester’s first undergraduate physiotherapy research placement, a model now adopted by other universities and reflected in national professional guidance.
As co-chair of the University of Leicester Clinical Academic Group, she created opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and institutions. Her leadership is helping to strengthen and diversify the clinical academic workforce while improving research culture and career pathways for allied health professionals.
Speaking about her award she said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be named an NIHR20 Rising Research Leader and honoured to share this recognition with other fantastic winners from across the spectrum of health and social care research.
“I’m incredibly proud to have the opportunity to shine a light on my work in rehabilitation and physical activity for people living with multiple long-term conditions, frailty and chronic kidney disease. I hope this recognition helps to highlight clinical academia as a career that is rewarding, exciting and, above all, achievable for healthcare professionals outside of medicine.
“None of this has been achieved alone. I’m hugely grateful to my family, friends, colleagues and mentors who have supported, encouraged and challenged me along the way, and especially to the research participants and PPI members who have so generously given their time, experiences and ideas to shape my work. I feel incredibly fortunate to receive this recognition.”
As prize winners, both will receive a £10,000 professional development award, paid to the University of Leicester, alongside access to tailored leadership and development opportunities.
Congratulating the winners, James Frith, Health Innovation Minister, said: “Patients benefit most when our world-leading research delivers the latest innovations to those who need them, when they need them. That’s why we’re recognising 40 research leaders across England for their life-changing work transforming the care patients receive. This is our 10-Year Health Plan in action, bringing together the brilliance of British science with the power of our NHS.”
The awards reflect NIHR’s commitment to supporting talented leaders across the full breadth of health and care research careers, improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and driving economic growth across the country.
A formal prize-giving ceremony will take place at the 2026 NIHR Academy Conference in October.
Find out more about the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizes.