The award is one part of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology Yearly Awards – with the PPIE award sponsored by NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The awards were presented at the Institute Annual Award Lecture this year given by Professor Catherine Bowes Rickman. The PPIE award was presented to Thales by Aadil Kazi manager of the BRC. Other prizes were awarded for Research Excellence, Teaching and Collegiality.
I am very honoured and grateful to receive the Public and Patient Involvement & Engagement (PPIE) award for my work with the podcast Eyes On Research.
Thales A. C. de Guimarães
I started making the podcast as I noticed there was a gap and wanted to communicate some quite scientific themes in an understandable and accessible way. It’s a huge passion of mine and it’s wonderful for it to be recognised. I look forward to working more with the BRC on some exciting projects! To my brilliant research colleagues, onwards!!
Thales’ work aims to translate complex updates in ocular research into simpler terms. The podcast has been running for a year and often features guests who are world-leading experts in their fields. The audio work is accompanied on the website by articles which aim to help with common thematic misconceptions.
His purpose is driven by helping to reduce the gap between researchers and patients, their families, and members of the public.
Thales has made his work available across multiple platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Deezer) and has a presence on social networks @eyesonresearch. Podcasts are released weekly.
Previous subjects have included:
- Phases of Clinical Trials and Drug Development
- Genetics of Eye Colour
- Can Caffeine Damage My Eyes?
- Refractive Errors: Why Do I Need Glasses?
And many many more.