Lancaster PhD student Donna Shrestha has won Research Student of the Year at the North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2025.

Donna is a senior resident doctor with a specialist interest in colorectal surgery, who is also a PhD student at Lancaster Medical School, where her research examines the health inequalities in the surgical patient pathway.

She said: “I’m incredibly grateful to have received this award. My research is grounded in a commitment to understanding how structural and social factors shape surgical outcomes, and it’s been a privilege to explore how health equity can be embedded into research.”

Hosted by Health Innovation North West Coast and Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC), the award recognise the best innovators and researchers in health and care in the Northwest with over a hundred entries in ten categories.

The Research Student of the Year award is aimed at “an individual who has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to their research”.

Donna’s PhD supervisors included Dr Chris Gaffney and Dr Cliff Shelton from Lancaster Medical School, Mr Daren Subar from the Medical School and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, and Dr Theo Bampouras from Liverpool John Moores University.

Dr Gaffney said: “Donna’s academic achievements, leadership in research, and dedication to advancing surgical and health inequality research have made her an outstanding PhD student and truly deserving of this Research and Innovation award.”

Donna said: “I’m especially thankful to the NIHR ARC NWC, my supervisors, and my research collaborators for their guidance and support, and for fostering an environment where thoughtful, equity-driven work can thrive.”

The winners were announced at a ceremony at The Royal College of Physicians, The Spine in Liverpool, where the awards were presented BBC North West Tonight and BBC Breakfast presenter Roger Johnson.

Dr Philip Jennings, Chief Executive at Health Innovation North West Coast, said: “I am delighted we have received so many high-quality applications for the awards. The quality of the submissions underlines the exceptional work being carried out across our region, highlighting the dedication, creativity, and impact of our research and innovation community."

Professor Mark Gabbay, ARC NWC Director, said: “These awards are a fantastic opportunity for showcasing the collaborative approaches being utilised to maximise the impact of research findings, all with the aim of reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for patients."

Health Innovation North West Coast is an NHS organisation whose role is to promote the adoption and spread of health and care innovations and boost economic growth.