The appointment of Aston University’s new distinguished Regius Professor of Pharmacy is being marked with a symposium and public lecture on research into mental health and medicine on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
Professor Ian Wong, who joined Aston University in April 2024, has over 30 years of experience in the field of psycho-pharmacoepidemiology - the analysis of the impact of different drugs on the mental health of patients.
Psycho-pharmacoepidemiology covers a wide range of topics, including drug use patterns, effectiveness, safety and treatment strategies once medications are released. This field also explores off-label use, sub-optimal prescribing practices, polypharmacy, overdosing and long-term outcomes. By examining how medications perform, it aims to improve treatment strategies and inform public health policies for better patient care.
Professor Wong has led groundbreaking research that exemplifies the power of pharmacoepidemiology in real-world applications. His work with children’s hospitals in the UK has been instrumental in enhancing drug safety and effectiveness for children with severe health conditions, such as epilepsy. Through innovative studies, Professor Wong and his team have provided valuable insights into optimizing medication use for young patients with seizures, reducing side effects and improving quality of life.
He is the only pharmacist to date to have received a UK Department of Health Public Health Career Scientist Award in 2002 to analyse psychotropic drug use in children for conditions such as ADHD, depression, schizophrenia and epilepsy.
To celebrate his journey of scientific achievements, a symposium of professionals and academics will gather to explore the latest advancements in pharmacy and healthcare research, featuring a series of presentations from notable experts including Mr David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer, Dr Lisa Cotterill, chief executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Academy and Dr Joan Marsh, editor-in-chief of The Lancet Psychiatry, as well as discussions on big data, research capacity and publishing excellence.
This will be followed by Professor Wong’s public lecture, Celebrating 30 years of psycho-pharmacoepidemiology: from paper charts to big data and beyond, which will highlight the significant advancements that have been made in pharmacoepidemiology, the role of big data in enhancing research capabilities in mental health and the future challenges and opportunities in these areas.
Aston Pharmacy School at Aston University was one of just 12 institutions awarded a prestigious Regius Professorship by HM Queen Elizabeth II to mark her 90th birthday in 2016 and is the only university to hold a Regius Professorship in pharmacy.
Regius professorships are a form of royal patronage dating back to 1497 and King James IV of Scotland, but since the reign of Queen Victoria, they have only rarely been given out.
Professor Wong said:
“I am thrilled to announce my inaugural lecture as the Regius Professor of Pharmacy. It is a true honour to have been appointed to this distinguished professorship, reflecting the exceptional support from my former and present research team members, employers and funding bodies.
“During the lecture, I will delve into the cutting-edge realm of utilising healthcare big data for mental health research, with a specific focus on psychotropic medication effectiveness and safety. This promises to be an enlightening and informative session, shedding light on the transformative potential of data analytics in advancing mental health treatments. I will also walk you through my life journey.”
The symposium and lecture on 26 November 2024 are aimed at healthcare researchers, professionals in pharmacy and medicine, policymakers and students interested in the practical applications of pharmacoepidemiology and are particularly relevant for those working in or studying mental health, drug safety and real-world evidence in healthcare.
They will take place in the Susan Cadbury Lecture Theatre in Aston Business School. Tickets for both events are available from Eventbrite.
The public lecture will begin at 18:15 GMT with refreshments served from 17:45 GMT. The lecture will also be streamed online. It is free of charge and open to all but tickets must be booked in advance. It will be followed by a drinks reception in the MBA Lounge for in-person guests.