Research focus
I am a clinical research nurse and coordinator working alongside Prof Mark Evans and other clinical colleagues to support early-phase clinical research into type 1 and type 2 diabetes. As a research group we strive to improve the lives of people living with diabetes. Our work helps us understand more about diabetes onset or prevention, and supports the development of new therapies and technologies for diabetes. I am responsible for the set-up, recruitment and data collection of the studies. Helping people with diabetes to engage in research safely through participation in our studies is a great privilege.
Background and experience
I am a registered general nurse with specialist training in trauma and emergency medicine. I spent many years working in aeromedical repatriation (moving patients around the world). After completing a degree in exercise science and biomechanics, I became interested in clinical research and moved to Cambridge to work in diabetes research.
Working at the IMS-MRL
We always have numerous studies recruiting people with diabetes. Some of our studies are early-phase clinical research, for example, to assess the potential of new immunotherapies in type 1 diabetes. Our study volunteers include people with very newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes who assist us. I work closely with patients to ensure they can access research and to monitor their safety and well-being while on the study. Some of our studies are collaborations with large pharmaceutical or industry partners while others are smaller scale academic studies demonstrating proof of concept for potential new therapy targets or other areas of research.
Awards
Winner - Vice-Chancellor’s Research Impact and Engagement Award 2017
