Lancaster University student wins Research Student of the Year Award

A Research Student of the Year prize has been awarded to Donna Shrestha, a PhD student at Lancaster Medical School.

Donna received the award at the North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2025, which took place earlier this month in Liverpool.

This award formally recognises Donna’s commitment to her research, which takes a closer look at health inequalities in the surgical patient pathway.

Donna Shrestha is a senior resident doctor who specialises in colorectal surgery. Her current PhD study at Lancaster University focuses on health inequalities in the surgical patient pathway.

Donna’s research has been working to prevent the unfair yet avoidable difference in care, health outcomes and treatment quality for those with different backgrounds, as determined by a variety of social factors. This research is close to Donna’s heart, and she has said that “it’s been a privilege to explore how health equity can be embedded into research.”

Donna’s drive and commitment to her research has been recognised by Health Innovation North West Coast and Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC). Nominated alongside some of the best innovators and researchers in healthcare, Donna saw off the competition to win this award.

One of Donna’s PhD supervisors, Dr Chris Gaffney, said: “Donna’s academic achievements, leadership in research, and dedication to advancing surgical and health inequality research have made her an outstanding PhD student and truly deserving of this Research and Innovation award.”