Sheffield MND Research Advisory Group Members

Clinical Research Manager and UK MND Speciality Coordinator, based at SITraN.

I lost my wife to MND ten years ago. Chair for Birmingham & Solihull Group MND Association. Member of NIHR-DeNRoN, Clinical Research Network and been part of Trial Steering Committee, Phase 3 Clinical trials at SITraN. Elected NHS Public Governor and PPI rep at NHS England, Leadership Academy in Leeds. 

Clinical Admin Coordinator based in SITraN providing support to the clinical research team and SMND Regional Advisory Group. 

I live on the autistic spectrum. As a freshwater biologist I swam in many lakes and rivers before becoming a sixth form college teacher for 20 years, specialising in learning support for people living with specific learning difficulties as well as becoming Head of Science. My interest in assessment of learning led me to work at the University of Cambridge International Examinations (as it was then called), travelling extensively to train science teachers. As a survivor of childhood abuse I lived with complex PTSD until my early 50s, when several years of specialist therapy set me free from mental distress. Meanwhile I had been developing symptoms of what is now known to be PLS, a rare motor neurone disease. I have become a digital artist, being unable to hold a paintbrush, and I’m an active advocate for people living with MND and other neurodegenerative conditions. 

MND Association Senior Non-Clinical Research Fellow. My research focuses on how MND affects the ability of patients to generate energy and how dietary intervention could help increase the lifespan of patients. I am keen to increase the profile of the disease and to help disseminate scientific findings to patients.

I was diagnosed with ALS in April 2022.

I was working as a Clinical Training Administrator for the GP out of hours service in Leicestershire until June 2023.

I wanted to be part of this group, to try and help others living with this condition, from my perspective as a  motor neurone disease patient.