The Lasker Essay Contest engages early career scientists and clinicians globally in a discussion about big questions in biology and medicine and the role of biomedical research in our society today. The contest aims to build skills in communicating important medical and scientific issues to broad audiences. As part of a recently announced three-year partnership with The Journal of Clinical Investigations (JCI), the winning essays will be published by JCI and Lasker in tandem, allowing for expanded visibility within the broad, international biomedical research community.
This year, the Foundation selected five winners from 280 submissions, including Louise Downs from the Matthews Group at NDM’s Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and Medawar Pathogen Research. Her essay, ‘Is a Test Better Than No Test When There Is No Treatment?’, weighs the pros and cons of searching for a diagnosis when there is no possibility of treatment.
Each winner will receive a $5,000 stipend to offset educational expenses. Topics included the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in biomedical research, scientific reproducibility, appropriate use of diagnostic testing and issues of patient recruitment and consent.
Read the full story on the Nuffield Department of Medicine website.