Prestigious award for Queen's researcher who has dedicated her career to battling Chronic Airways Diseases

By The Newsroom
Published 24th Nov 2016, 17:06 BST
Updated 6th Dec 2016, 17:02 BST
QUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston, Dr Lorraine Martin & Mr Conor Murphy, MLA.QUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston, Dr Lorraine Martin & Mr Conor Murphy, MLA.
QUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston, Dr Lorraine Martin & Mr Conor Murphy, MLA.
Dr Lorraine Martin, who hails from Ballymena, has spoken of her delight after winning the highly-coveted Vice-Chancellor's Research Impact Prize.

Lorraine, who is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Pharmaceutics within the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University, Belfast, has incredibly remained at the university since commencing her Bachelor of Science Degree at the age of 18, and chose to remain at the university throughout her extensive academic training and successful research career.

She was one of four world-class researchers at the university who were recognised for the positive research impact and innovation of their work.

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Lorraine was awarded the Research Impact prize for her outstanding research into respiratory diseases, which led to the creation of local company and university spin-out, ProAxsis Ltd.

Dr Lorraine Martin with husband, Dr Andrew McDowell.Dr Lorraine Martin with husband, Dr Andrew McDowell.
Dr Lorraine Martin with husband, Dr Andrew McDowell.

Focusing on active proteases and their role as markers of disease, led Lorraine and colleague Professor Brian Walker to found the company in 2013.

As founding CEO, Lorraine successfully translated a programme from academic research to a commercial platform.

Founded in 2013, the company - which now has customers in the US and across Europe - uses patented technology to develop biomarker tests to improve the management and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases.

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Her work highlights how university research can lead to commercial success, as well as meeting clinical need and improving patient care.

Back row: QUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston, Dr Wendy Austin & Mr Conor Murphy, MLA. Front row: Professor Christopher Marsh - Research Innovation (School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics), Dr Lorraine Martin - Research Impact (School of Pharmacy), Dr Anna Bryson - Postdoctoral Research (School of Law) & Dr Trung Q Duong - Early Career Research (School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)Back row: QUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston, Dr Wendy Austin & Mr Conor Murphy, MLA. Front row: Professor Christopher Marsh - Research Innovation (School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics), Dr Lorraine Martin - Research Impact (School of Pharmacy), Dr Anna Bryson - Postdoctoral Research (School of Law) & Dr Trung Q Duong - Early Career Research (School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Back row: QUB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston, Dr Wendy Austin & Mr Conor Murphy, MLA. Front row: Professor Christopher Marsh - Research Innovation (School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics), Dr Lorraine Martin - Research Impact (School of Pharmacy), Dr Anna Bryson - Postdoctoral Research (School of Law) & Dr Trung Q Duong - Early Career Research (School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)

Lorraine said: “I was delighted to be shortlisted for this award, and to be announced as the winner at the event on Friday night was truly one of the highlights of my career.

“I am passionate about researching and developing new ways to improve the management and treatment of chronic airways diseases - particularly Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cystic Fibrosis.

“I won the Research Impact Prize for my work with ProAxsis which I began in 2013 after winning the NISP Connect 25K competition (now INVENT), which awarded us the top prize of £13K in funding.

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“I was CEO of the company from 2013 until October 2015, supported by a Research Enterprise Fellowship, awarded by the university.

Queens University Belfast Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston with Dr Wendy Austin, who hosted the evening.Queens University Belfast Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston with Dr Wendy Austin, who hosted the evening.
Queens University Belfast Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston with Dr Wendy Austin, who hosted the evening.

“The company develops novel biomarker assays utilising a patented ProteaseTag technology - which allows for the measurement of active proteases in chronic diseases, in the first instance respiratory diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

“The hope is that people will ultimately be able to use these novel tests at home to detect when they might be at risk of a chest infection.

“The early detection of respiratory flare-ups at home by the patient brings the added benefits of catching the infection early, whilst it also lowers the impact on the healthcare system - both in terms of Community and Hospital-based care.

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Chronic airways diseases are particularly prevalent throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and causes millions of deaths worldwide each year.

Dr Lorraine Martin with husband, Dr Andrew McDowell.Dr Lorraine Martin with husband, Dr Andrew McDowell.
Dr Lorraine Martin with husband, Dr Andrew McDowell.

Lorraine explained: “COPD is a global challenge of increasing magnitude as it is the only leading cause of death which is increasing in prevalence worldwide.

“COPD is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema resulting in progressive airflow limitation and consequently difficulty in breathing.

“Currently, there are on average 3.3 million deaths worldwide (250,000 across Europe) and by 2020 COPD is likely to account for over 6 million deaths which will make it the third leading cause of death.

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