Dr Sagar Jilka from IGHI scoops early career researcher award

Dr Sagar Jilka (second from right) with the other winners.

Dr Sagar Jilka from the Centre for Health Policy at IGHI wins Scopus Young Researcher Arts and Humanities Award.

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, and the US-UK Fulbright Commission honoured seven early career researchers yesterday for their outstanding contribution to UK science.

Dr Jilka accepting the award

Congratulations are in order for our Dr Sagar Jilka on winning in the arts and humanities category of the Scopus Young Researcher UK Awards. 

Working very closely with the research community, Elsevier recognises and rewards researchers for their vital role in advancing science.  The Scopus Young Researcher UK Award program began in 2011 to highlight the work of early career researchers through awards across a variety of subject disciplines.

Over 70 senior figures from government, academia and industry attended the Award Ceremony held at the Royal Society last night. The keynote speech was delivered by Gareth Davies, Director General for Knowledge and Innovation, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UK.

Dr Jilka is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Health Policy within Imperial’s Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI). He completed his PhD research jointly at Imperial College London and Goldsmiths College, University of London and holds an honorary clinical contract with Imperial College Healthcare NHS trust. 

The Centre for Health Policy promotes innovative evidence-based policies among decision-makers worldwide, and undertakes a broad range of work from original academic research to developing practical applied solutions for health challenges for policymakers.

Sagar currently leads the research stream investigating the impact of patient access to their medical records, a project commissioned by the Sowerby Foundation, as well as the North West London Care Information Exchange evaluation. 

His other research interests involve work with traumatic brain injury patients and executive function, particularly in investigating neural deficits in task switching and response inhibition. He also has an interest in investigating experiences of involuntary musical imagery (earworms) and the science of magic.

Sagar obtained his BSc (dual honours) from Keele University in Psychology and Music and completed his MRes in 2010, in Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Birmingham. Alongside his MRes, he worked as a research assistant at Goldsmiths on the earworm project (http://earwormery.com/) with the Music, Mind and Brain group. He is an active live performing musician and close up card magician.

More information on Dr Jilka and the award can be found in this short video.

The other 2015 winners are: 

- Environmental Science: Dr Chris Sweetapple, University of Exeter

- Medicine: Katherine Battle, University of Oxford

- Social Sciences: Dr Jonathan Fisher, University of Birmingham

- Physical Sciences: Dr Jack Alexander-Webber, University of Cambridge

- Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology: Dr Michael Booth, University of Oxford

- Researchers’ Choice Communication Award: Matthew Allen, Cardiff University 

Winners were presented with their award by Elsevier CEO Ron Mobed and Penny Egan, Executive Director of the US/UK Fulbright Commission, at the event held at The Royal Society in London yesterday. Professor Colin Riordan, US-UK Fulbright Commissioner and President and Vice Chancellor at Cardiff University will also be in attendance to welcome guests from the UK academic community.

In addition to the winner himself, Professor James Stirling, Provost at Imperial College London was also in attendance.

Congratulating the Award winners, Ron Mobed, CEO of Elsevier said “Investing in young researchers is essential to securing the future of scientific discovery. These awards aim to motivate and support researchers early in their careers to deliver ground-breaking research.  We’re delighted to celebrate their achievements and, through raising their visibility, help them to engage the wider public in the great work they do to advance science and society.”

On receiving the award, Dr Jilka said “This award highlights the impact that Imperial College London as a whole has on a young researcher’s career. I have the opportunity to work with some of the brightest people in the world on cutting edge research, and for that I am very grateful. I’m also very thankful to Elsevier for recognising young researchers and providing us with a platform to help raise our academic profile”.

More information on Elsevier’s Early Career Researcher Awards can also be found on a dedicated microsite.