“You’re always thinking of the patient – what is going to make the patient journey as easy as possible while on a clinical trial.”
Duncan Colyer’s journey from nursing to research leadership is driven by a commitment to patient-centred care. As Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) Operations Manager at Icon Group, he plays a key role in supporting clinician-led trials funded by Icon Cancer Foundation, driving innovative treatments that can improve patient outcomes.
Duncan’s path to nursing began while backpacking in Australia. He took an introductory personal care course and started working in a nursing home. This hands-on experience sparked his passion for healthcare, leading him to pursue a nursing degree in Perth.
After graduating, Duncan worked as a registered nurse in the trauma, neurology, and orthopaedic wards at Royal Perth Hospital. Upon returning to the UK, a chance meeting with a research nurse led to a role at the Oxford Cancer Centre, where he began working closely with cancer patients participating in clinical trials.
As a research nurse, Duncan developed an interest in the research process, enjoying the blend of clinical care and the problem-solving involved in trial design. Returning to Australia, he naturally progressed along the research operations pathway, eventually overseeing multiple trials and coordinating studies at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Duncan’s clinical background has undoubtedly shaped his approach to research today. “You’re always thinking of the patient – what is going to make the patient journey as easy as possible while on a clinical trial,” he explains.
The Icon IIT team currently manages 25 studies at various stages of development – from synopsis and protocol writing to recruitment, ethics reviews, follow-up and analysis.
“We support research across the Icon network,” says Duncan. “My role is to coordinate the team, which includes Project Managers and a Project Officer, to help studies go from startup to closeout and analysis as smoothly as possible.”
Clinician-led trials bring a unique perspective to research. “The ideas have come from investigators who have seen a question that needs to be answered,” says Duncan. By grounding research in clinical experience, these trials aim to address pressing patient needs and generate outcomes that can be quickly translated into better care.
IITs can present unique challenges. Unlike commercially sponsored trials, IITs are investigator-led from the ground up. “People think IITs are easy, but they’re not,” explains Duncan. “The investigator is writing the protocol and overseeing the trial while balancing a busy clinical load. The plus side is that we’re here to support them every step of the way.”
Mentorship is central to Duncan’s work, who strongly believes in offering support and guidance to early-career researchers.
“The most rewarding part is being part of a team that can support important trials,” Duncan reflects. “IITs are a great opportunity for investigators to work with early-career researchers. At Icon we have the advantage of being a network. There’s a mentorship opportunity that IITs offer, that investigators don’t usually get with commercial trials.”
This mentorship covers the full scope of a project. Duncan and his team provide guidance on everything from protocol development to navigating ethics and governance, helping new investigators grow confident in their research capabilities.
Duncan and Icon Group Clinical Governance & Quality Specialist Belinda Evans, hosting a consumer representation meeting for the ICF-funded clinical trial iROAR.
“As processes get more efficient, we hope to see more people putting their ideas forward,” Duncan says. “Trials do not have to be big or complicated to have a huge impact. We can have a simple idea and take it globally.”
Looking ahead, research remains at the core of Icon’s mission. Duncan sees IITs as a powerful way for Icon to show a commitment to innovating cancer care. “It draws clinicians in when an institution can be seen to truly value research,” he explains.
As Icon continues to grow its research program, Duncan remains a strong advocate for meaningful patient involvement, emphasising the importance that research stays grounded in real patient voices. “It’s important to incorporate consumers into clinical trials – not just reviewing documents but really understanding what it’s like to be a patient on that trial. It always comes back to the patient.”
An Investigator Initiated Trial (IIT) is a clinical trial or study led by a researcher or doctor rather than a pharmaceutical or medical device company. This allows for independent exploring of new treatments and supports advances in patient care beyond commercially funded research. Icon Cancer Foundation is proud to support IITs led by the clinicians and researchers at Icon Cancer Centre Australia.
