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SAPC's Principle Investigator Prize is awarded to the PI who provides exceptional support, leadership and encouragement for their team through the highs and lows of research, careers and life. We received fewer nominations than last year - but all gave inspiring descriptions of support offered by PIs in a number of academic departments."

Congratulations to the University of Southampton's Associate Professor Miriam Santer, this year's winner of SAPC's Principle Invesigator Prize.

Dr Santer is co-lead on an NIHR Programme Grant, Eczema Care Online, with colleagues at the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology at the University of Nottingham. The programme of research aims to develop online resources to promote effective eczema self-care and address issues around topical corticosteroid use in eczema.

Miriam also works with researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Cardiff and Nottingham on the NIHR HTA-funded BATHE trial (Bath Additives for the Treatment of cHildhood Eczema), NIHR HTA-funded BEE trial (Best Emollient for Eczema), NIHR School for Primary Care Research TEST (Trial of Eczema allergy Screening Tests), she is on SPCR's Allergy Working Group, and a member of SAPC's Dermatology Special Interest Group.

Miriam received the RCGP Research Paper of the Year award in 2018, for the BATHE study. The randomised controlled trial included 482 children aged one to eleven years across 96 general practices in England and Wales over a 12 month period. Funded by the NIHR HTA programme, the BATHE trial found that pouring emollient additives into the bath provided no additional benefit over standard eczema care; there was no difference in outcomes between the two groups included in the study.

funded to the tune of £1.7million by the NIHR HTA programme

Dr Santer co-leads an NIHR HTA grant SAFA (Spironolactone for Adult Female Acne)

Spironolactone has been used off-license in acne affecting women for over 30 years. Yet, there is no robust evidence that it works. It is thought to lower hormones that trigger grease production by the skin. In acne, the skin produces more grease than normal, so some dermatologists think that spironolactone can help treat acne.

The £1.7million study is being funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. The story has been covered by Heart FM.

Most recently, Miriam has received funding to investigate the possible role of Andrographis paniculata as a symptomatic intervention for acute respiratory tract infections

Earlier work conducted with SPCR funding resulted in the following publications: