Staff Profile

I am a clinical academic with an interest in motor neuron disease and peripheral neuropathy. I have a basic science lab where we are using human induced pluripotent stem cells to understand the pathogenesis and develop treatments for motor neuron disease which is a devastating neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no disease modifying therapies. I am the Newcastle BRC lead for the EXPERTS-ALS clinical trial.

Members of the research team are also working on clinical projects in MND and neuromuscular disease.

Teaching is fundamental to research, and I am passionate about training the next generation. In research, in my lab I supervise a post-doctoral researcher, two PhD students and three clinical academic trainees.

I completed an M.A. Clinical Education at the UCL Institute of Education, London (2014). Clinically, I worked as a lecturer on the PassPACES course (2011-19) as well as bedside and PACES teaching on the wards. As chair of the Association of British Neurologist Trainees (ABNT) I led the development of the ABN mentoring scheme. I have examined the Year 4 Medical Students at Newcastle University.

I am now the Academic Strand lead for MBBS, part of the NHIP Academy leadership for training and I sit on national committees to improve clinical academic training.