Meet the new chair of the Research Interest Group | Lung Cancer Nursing UK Skip to main content

Meet the new chair of the Research Interest Group

Suriya Kirkpatrick, LCNUK RIG Chair


I am an aspiring clinical academic with over three decades of nursing experience. During my career I’ve had the privilege of actively contributing to the delivery of cancer research across various tumour sites, worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in acute oncology, and participated in impactful projects such as the 100,000 Genomes Project and its subsequent legacy work. My commitment to research excellence led me to pursue a PhD in lung cancer, focusing on the development of a digital self-management platform tailored for people living with lung cancer. Through a blend of clinical expertise and leadership, I've carved out a niche for myself as a clinician, driven by a steadfast commitment to enhancing patient care through research. I am eager to collaborate with this esteemed group to enhance the research capacity of nurses working in lung cancer care. Together, we can forge pathways for nurse-led research initiatives, ultimately elevating the standard of care and support provided to individuals living with lung cancer.

My priorities align with promoting equity, diversity, and inclusivity in research, while also striving to build a sustainable research workforce and broaden the impact of nurses in this field. By joining LCNUK RIG, you will be able to tap into peer support, stay abreast of cutting-edge research, and collectively address barriers hindering access to clinical trial participation. Together, we can support the development of research priorities in lung cancer nursing, explore innovative research designs, and foster research partnerships across industry and academia.

My goal is to provide tangible support to our members in developing fundable research proposals and assisting clinical nurse specialists and advanced practitioners in achieving their research aspirations aligned with the NMC research pillar of advanced practice. I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with each of you and making meaningful strides in improving the outcomes and experiences of those affected by lung cancer.

Join Lung Cancer Nursing UK

Be a member of a dynamic and cohesive forum of lung cancer nurse specialists (LCNS) working throughout the UK. Membership costs just £30 per year and is open to any specialist nurse who spends more than 50% of their working week or clinical activities in caring for patients with lung cancer.

Join Now

Annual Conference

Save the date for the LCNUK Conference 2025, the go-to event for any nurse working in lung cancer.

Held Thursday 19th - Friday 20th June at The Radisson Blu Heathrow, London.

Find out more