The transplant epidemiological research team at the University Hospital of Liverpool Group (UHL Group) are celebrating a series of national and international recognitions - all driven by the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life for organ transplant patients.
Current research tackles some of the most important issues facing transplant patients today, including racial fairness, donor organ quality, emotional wellbeing, and long-term survival after surgery.
Picture caption L-R: Mr Sanjay Mehra, Clinical Lead Transplant Surgery and Mr Hamant Sharma, Transplant and Vascular Access Surgeon.
The COBIT UK study
One of the key studies, the COBIT UK Study, looking at racial equality in transplantation — a vital topic to ensure all patients have fair and equal access to life-saving transplants. This research has been awarded the British Journal of Surgery prize at the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) International Congress 2025. The first time BJS prize for Liverpool.
Research into Cold Ischemia Time (CIT)
The team’s are also undergoing research into CIT - how long a kidney is stored before transplant - which was shortlisted for the prestigious British Transplant Society Medawar Prize 2025, a first for the Liverpool unit. This work helps improve transplant planning and reduce risks for patients receiving donor kidneys.
The COPE study
Recognising that a transplant journey is not only physical, Liverpool researchers are leading the COPE Study on emotional and social coping in transplant patients. This work, supported by a British Transplant Surgery Nursing and Allied Health Award (BTS AHP), helping healthcare teams better support patients both mentally and emotionally before and after their surgery.
The ADOPT Study
The team have also been recognised for their international research on using kidneys from donors with acute kidney injury (ADOPT Study). This has been selected as a top paper at the World Transplant Congress 2025.
Mr Hemant Sharma, Transplant and Vascular Access Surgeon at UHLG said: “These achievements aren’t just academic milestones - they directly translate to better care, more access to transplants, and more support for our patients.
Mr Sanjay Mehra Clinical Lead Transplant Surgery added: “Everything we do is focused on helping transplant recipients live longer, healthier, and more supported lives.”
Discover more information on how you could get involved in research at UHLG.