Issue 27 – NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre

Welcome to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford Health Newsletter, full of ideas, events, and achievements.

To feature in future editions email Oxford Health R&D Comms.

Please note: BRC core support for the Statistics Team ended with effect 31 March 2026. It is possible to email Ly-Mee Yu to discuss support for statistics but BRC funding is not available to pay for this work.

Our research in the News

- Nottinghamshire Live: Mental health experts give evidence to Nottingham attacks public inquiry
- Pulse: AI antidepressant choice tool improves patient adherence and outcomes trial shows
- Oxford Mail: NHS worker praised at national parliament awards event
- Oxford Mail: Oxford clinical research facility is hiring a psychiatrist
- Oxford Mail: Oxford Warneford Hospital development plans approved
- Oxford Mail: Leading neuropsychiatrist to join Biomedical Research Centre
- This is Oxfordshire: Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility hosting open day
- This is Oxfordshire: Oxford Health NHS launches Count Me In research project
- Oxford Mail: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust announces new CEO

Mental Health Awareness week

This week, Mental Health Awareness Week focused on Action and how small, practical steps can make a meaningful difference to mental wellbeing. To mark the week, a selection of our BRC researchers shared evidence‑informed insights on LinkedIn and BlueSky, highlighting practical actions that support good mental health.

60 seconds with…Maja Andreevska, R&D Finance Business Partner

Recognising the hard work and dedication of our finance team particularly at financial year end, this feature highlights Maja Andreevska and finance colleagues supporting our BRC. From planning and reporting to governance, their work ensures research remains financially robust, accurately reported to NIHR, and aligned with strategic priorities.

Read more: BRC: Oxford Health news

Research uncovers how the brain resolves emotional ambiguity

Researchers in our BRC’s Brain Technologies and Depression Therapeutics themes have shown, for the first time, that the amygdala directly shapes how people interpret ambiguous social cues. Published in Neuron, the study used focused ultrasound to alter brain activity, influencing responses to facial expressions and providing new insights into emotional processing.

Read more: BRC: Oxford Health news

Count Me In

Count Me In is a new approach from our BRC and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, giving patients the choice to hear about research opportunities they may be eligible for. Taking part is always optional, won’t affect care, and aims to make research fairer and more inclusive.

Read more: BRC: Oxford Health news

Better cognition tied to higher relapse risk after depression remission

A UK study of over 3,700 participants, led by our EDI Academic Lead Dr Angharad de Cates and published in BMJ Mental Health, challenges assumptions about depression relapse. Cognitive problems (‘brain fog’) did not predict relapse. Unexpectedly, people with previous depression and higher cognitive scores were more likely to relapse, highlighting the need for more personalised prevention and follow-up care.

Read more: BRC: Oxford Health news

Driving real change: parliamentary recognition for NHS innovation adoption

Congratulations to Nnenna Omeje, Governance and Contracting Lead for the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration at Oxford Health, on national recognition. Her Parliamentary Pathfinder nomination highlights a centralised Confidential Disclosure Agreement initiative, improving study planning, collaboration and efficiency, and enabling system-wide, multi-site impact for mental health research across the TRC.

Read more: BRC: Oxford Health news

Watch now: Neurodiversity and Research Public Talk

ICYMI: Our recent public talk on neurodiversity and research brought together BRC researchers to explore how mental and brain health research can better include and support neurodivergent communities. Speakers highlighted inclusive design and meaningful participation. Watch the recording if you missed it or would like to revisit the discussion.

Oxford Health You Tube

CRF Open Afternoon

Join the NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Oxford Health on 20 May for their annual Open Afternoon, marking Clinical Trials Day. Enjoy tea and cake, meet the research team, tour the facilities, and learn about mental health research in Oxford, including how you can take part in future studies.

Inviting nature into a secure ward for young people

Researchers from the University of Oxford and Oxford Health have created a therapeutic garden within a secure CAMHS unit at the Warneford Hospital, exploring how green spaces can support young people and staff. The co‑produced project shows nature can be safely integrated into clinical settings, improving wellbeing, recovery environments, and staff experience through innovative, inclusive design.

Trial of non-invasive scan marks possible breakthrough for endometriosis diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Oxford have tested a new imaging agent that may help detect endometriosis lesions missed by standard scans. The approach could provide a non‑invasive way to diagnose and monitor the condition, improving accuracy, reducing delays, and limiting the need for unnecessary surgery for millions worldwide.

Oxford Health BRC Newsletters

Our research in the News

Mental Health Awareness week

60 seconds with…Maja Andreevska, R&D Finance Business Partner

Research uncovers how the brain resolves emotional ambiguity

Count Me In

Better cognition tied to higher relapse risk after depression remission

Driving real change: parliamentary recognition for NHS innovation adoption

Watch now: Neurodiversity and Research Public Talk

CRF Open Afternoon

Inviting nature into a secure ward for young people

Trial of non-invasive scan marks possible breakthrough for endometriosis diagnosis

Footer

Improving brain health: the future in mind

Follow us