Our team

Lise became our Director in January 2018. Lise is a consultant haematologist with NHS Blood and Transplant and a Senior Clinical Lecturer in Transfusion Medicine at the University of Oxford. She graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in medicine. She did her haematology training in London before moving to Oxford in 2010 to become a Clinical Research Fellow in Transfusion Medicine with NHSBT. During her time as a research fellow she was awarded a prize for her research from Oxford University, as well as being awarded a DPhil from Oxford University in research on risk factors for bleeding in people with haematological malignancies. She also holds an MA in Medical Ethics and Law from Keele University and an MSc in Clinical Trials from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has already worked with the CTU as a CI or co-investigator on several studies and trials (TREATT, InCiTe, ATHENA, and TOPPS). She performs Cochrane and non-Cochrane systematic reviews in transfusion medicine in association with the Systematic Reviews Initiative in Oxford.

After gaining a Masters degree in Medical Statistics at the University of Southampton, Rachel joined NHS Blood and Transplant (or UK Transplant as it was then) as a statistician in 1992. Since then she has worked with clinicians, scientists and others to analyse the UK Transplant Registry database to provide an evidence base for clinical practice and organ allocation. In 2017 she was appointed Assistant Director for Statistics and Clinical Studies in NHSBT, leading the statistics team and the NHSBT Clinical Trials Unit. In 2021, the R&D Office and Systematic Review Initiative joined the team and Rachel became the Assistant Director for Statistics and Clinical Research. She is a member of the NHSBT Clinical Services Management Team and supports the Board level NHSBT R&D Committee. Rachel is also a member of the steering group for the UK Organ Donation and Transplantation Research Network and is an elected member of the British Transplantation Society’s Clinical Trials and Research Committee.

Helen has an MSc in Medical Statistics from University of Leicester and has worked at NHSBT since 2004. Helen is head of clinical trial statistics and co-ordinates all aspects of statistical support for CTU. Helen is the lead statistician for several trials within CTU and the trial statistician for CRYOSTAT-2. She also works on the design of forthcoming trials. Helen also has experience serving as the independent statistician on a Data Monitoring Committee.

Tel: 01179 757485

Email: helen.thomas@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Cara is a Mathematics graduate from University of Bristol and joined the Statistics and Clinical Studies team in August 2007. She subsequently gained and MSc in Statistics and Management Science from University of West England. Cara is a Principal Statistician providing statistical support for the design and analysis of clinical trials. Cara was the trial statistician for PLANET-2 and is the trial statistician for TREATT and the PANDA programme. She is the lead statistician for several trials and is also involved in several funding applications.

Tel: 01179 757432

Email: cara.hudson@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Laura undertook a placement year at NHSBT during her undergraduate degree and subsequently gained an MSc in Statistics with Applications in Medicine from University of Southampton. She returned to NHSBT in 2011, initially undertaking analyses of kidney transplant data from the UK Transplant Registry. Now as a Senior Statistician, she provides statistical expertise in the design and analysis of clinical trials. Laura is the trial statistician for several transplant trials, and is the independent statistician for TREATT.

Tel: 01179 757431

Email: Laura.Smith2@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Elisa completed an MSc in Mathematics and a PhD in Statistics from the University of Bath. She then worked as a Statistician at a UK agricultural research centre for several years. She joined NHSBT in 2013 as a Principal Statistician, leading the areas of liver and small bowel transplantation in the Statistics Department. In her liver transplant role, she supported the national introduction of the liver offering scheme in 2018. She now leads the area of blood transfusion studies as well as being the trial statistician for ProGrES, SONAR and ADVENT in the CTU. She also works on the design of forthcoming trials including writing proposals for funding.

Email: Elisa.Allen@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Having spent eight years in NHS finance, Mark became a mature student at the University of Lancashire and graduated with a degree in Statistics and Business Information Systems. He then went on to join the Statistics and Clinical Studies team in September 2000 and subsequently gained an MSc in Statistics and Management Science from the University of West England. Mark is a senior statistician previously working with ocular tissue, and is currently providing support for the ADVENT clinical trial.

Tel: 0117 975 7555

Email: mark.jones@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Joe is a Mathematics graduate from University of Bath, and during his degree he undertook a placement year working as a Biostatistician at Amgen. Joe started work at NHSBT in 2018. He provides statistical input in the clinical trials team to support the TREATT clinical trial and the PROGRES study.

Tel: 0117 975 7471

Email: Joseph.parsons@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Jenni joined NHSBT in August 2020 after graduating from Cardiff University where she studied Mathematics with Statistics Operational Research. During her degree she undertook a placement year as a Biostatistician at Amgen. Jenni is a support statistician for the SIGNET and RePAST clinical trials.

Email: jenni.banks@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Rosie joined NHSBT CTU in September 2021 following the completion of her PhD in Cardiovascular Science and a short post-doctoral position at the University of Glasgow. Before that, she obtained a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Bath, where she undertook a placement year at Roche, and an MSc in Statistics with Applications in Medicine from University of Southampton. She is currently providing statistical support to the PLUTO, PANDA and DeFat trials.

Shaminie graduated from the University of Bath with a BSc in Mathematics. She started working for NHSBT as an Insight Analyst within Donor Experience in July 2019 and joined the Statistics and Clinical Research team in September 2020. She has provided support for REMAP-CAP, RECOVERY and SONAR-12m clinical trials.

Suzie joined NHSBT in August 2020 as the placement Statistician and subsequently after completing her Mathematics degree from the University of Sheffield re-joined NHSBT as a Statistician I in September 2022. Suzie is a support statistician for the SIGNET and PITHIA clinical trials.

After completing an MSc in Biometry and PhD in Applied Statistics at the University of Reading, Jenny began training as an actuary. Following this, she briefly worked as a statistical consultant at an environmental consultancy before joining NHSBT as a Principal Statistician in 2013. Jenny has spent many years working with the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) as Chair of the Young Statisticians Section (2008-2010), committee member of the Emerging Applications Section (2017-2019) and elected member of RSS Council (2016-2019) and in 2014 she won the RSS Chambers Award for her leadership of the YSS as its founding Chair. Jenny is currently working on the PLUS, SWiFT and PITHIA trials.

Renate has a BSc (Hons) in Biology from Portsmouth. She began her career in the haematology lab of the local hospital where she went on to complete an MSc in Biomedical Science specialising in haematology. Renate moved into clinical research and gained over 12 years experience working in the pharmaceutical industry before joining CTU in 2010 when she worked on several trials in the portfolio.

Tel: 07471 147968

Email: renate.hodge@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Rupa joined NHSBT CTU data management team in April 2017. She is the lead data manager for the CRYOSTAT-2 trial and ITOPS trial and is involved in all aspects of processing the trial data. Rupa's role encompasses database build, CRF design, handling data queries, and she provides training and support to sites. Rupa also supports several other trials in the CTU portfolio.

Email: Rupa.Sharma@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Nikki has recently joined the clinical data services team as a Data Management Support Officer. She has 12 years experience in a pharmaceutical laboratory setting, liaising with clients and generating and assessing data packages. Nikki also has experience in dealing with governing bodies such as the MHRA and adhering to Good Manufacturing Practice.

Tel: 01223 588151

Email: nikki.dallas@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Emily joined CTU in April 2018. She is involved in supporting the data management team with the various trials in the portfolio. Her duties include data entry and CRF receipt; ensuring the clinical data collected is reviewed for accuracy, which includes query management.

Tel: 01223 588151

Email: emily.arbon@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Jo joined the NHSBT CTU as a Senior Clinical Data Manager in October 2019. Jo started her career in research at GlaxoSmithKline where she obtained a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology from the University of Hertfordshire. She later moved into clinical data management and most recently has over 6 of years experience as a senior data manager in Early Phase Oncology trials within the Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit based at Addenbrooke's.

Tel: 01223 588 070

Email: joanne.mullings@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Maria has a BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science and has previous experience in data management gained at Smithkline Beecham and GlaxoSmithkline. Before joining CTU, Maria worked as a science technician for the Cambridge International School. She will intially be working on the TREATT trial.

Roshni is an engineering graduate with M.Tech in Genetics and B.Tech in Bioinformatics from India. She has 6 years' experience in Data Management working in various CRO's like ICON, PPD, CTS and pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca and Novartis. She joined NHSBT in September 2020 and will initially be working on CRYOSTAT-2 and SIGNET trials.

Jonnie joined the NHSBT CTU as a Junior Data Manager in January 2022. Jonnie has previously worked in the Blood Donor Centre building and has experience of working as a data manager from his days working for the Medical Research Council’s Food Nutrition department. Jonnie has worked with many databases during his career and was eager to get back into Data Management. Jonnie will be helping with many studies, but initially CRYOSTAT-2.

Sara joined the NHSBT CTU as a Junior Data Manager in February 2022. Sara previously worked as a Cancer Registration officer for NHS D formerly PHE. She worked on-site before working in one of the clinics at Addenbrookes Hospital and working in the Blood Donor Centre for a few years for the NIHR Bioresource. She enjoys working with databases and working in a research environment that strives to improve lives. Sara is currently helping with the TREATT study and will be involved in the PANDA study. She is looking forward to growing within the CTU and getting involved where she can.

Email: sara.last@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Sophie joined the NHSBT CTU in September 2022 from Royal Papworth Hospital, where she worked as the R&D Operational Manager. A nurse by background Sophie later worked in commercial pharmaceutical industry mainly in Phase 1 clinical research, but later moved to work in all phases of research. Sophie undertook her post grad studies in Management and Leadership, and joins the team as the Head of the Clinical Trials Unit Operations.

Claire has a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences and, following graduation, worked at GlaxoSmithKline in pre-clinical research based in Harlow, UK and then Singapore before starting a career in clinical research at Barts Health NHS Foundation Trust and Queen Mary University London. For over 10 years, Claire worked in trauma research managing both CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs. During this time, she studied a MSc in Clinical Trials at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In 2020, Claire moved to the University of Hertfordshire as Clinical Trial Manager working on a mental health trial. Claire joined NHSBT as a Clinical Operations Manager in 2022.

Amy studied Medical Genetics at The University of Leicester and then went on to study a Masters in Assisted Reproduction Technology at Nottingham University. After University Amy started working for a clinical research organisation, both in the QA department and in toxicology as a trainee study manager. She started working for NHSBT CTU in 2018 as the Clinical Trial Co-ordinator for CRYOSTAT-2. Amy is now the Trial Manager for SIGNET.

Tel: 0776 4280175

Email: amy.evans@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Jo has previously worked as a trial manager in the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, and in the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of East Anglia. Most recently Jo worked as research & development co-ordinator at the James Paget University Hospital. Her research interests include trauma, critical care, cardiovascular and mental health. Jo is currently managing CRYOSTAT-2 study, looking at the effect of early cryoprecipitate on mortality in patients with major haemorrhage.

Visit the CRYOSTAT-2 website

Tel: 07764 280606

Email: joanne.lucas@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Val has both an administrative and clinical background which began in Higher Education at Anglia Ruskin University and The School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge. She went on to train as an Assistant Practitioner in Breast Imaging, working at The West Suffolk Hospital and The Rosie, Addenbrooke's Hospital for the NHS Breast Screening Programme. Prior to joining CTU, Val worked as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at The Pathology Partnership’. Val joined the CTU Data Management Team in March 2014 working on the PlaNeT-2 trial. She is now part of the operations team working on SONAR and REPAST.

Tel: 01223 588188

Email: valerie.hopkins@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Fontini has a degree in nursing from the University of Athens, a PhD in cardiology nursing from Cyprus University of Technology, and an MSc in epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Fotini's previous role was Senior Cardiovascular Research Nurse in the Vascular Research / Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics department at Addenbrookes Hospital. Prior to that, she was the haematology trials nurse at the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre at Addenbrookes hospital.

James joined NHSBT CTU in July 2022 as a Clinical Operations Manager. He studied Anthropology before becoming interested in clinical research and has been working in clinical trials ever since. James has worked in clinical trials for over 15 years, mostly at academic clinical trial units specialising in haematology and cancer, neonatology, and more recently psychiatry.

Email: James.Griffiths2@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Anna’s background is in medical microbiology. She worked for Sanofi-Aventis and then Roche as a Clinical Research Associate. When the Clinical Research Networks expanded, she joined the Kent & Medway CLRN as their Industry Manager, looking after their portfolio of commercial trials. Anna moved on to work at Addenbrooke's Hospital in neurosciences research, working in paediatric epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Anna joined CTU in November 2017, initially working on PLANET2 and is now managing SONAR.

Tel: 07392 139868

Email: anna.sidders@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Tom joined the NHSBT CTU as a Clinical Trial Manager in April 2022. He has a BSc in Sport and Exercise sciences from the University of Birmingham. Following graduation he joined the University of Oxford as part of their Department of Oncology, progressing to trial manager where he responsible for several early phase, first-in-human trials. As part of the NHSBT team Tom will be managing the PANDA programme.

Email: thomas.holmes@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Charlie joined NHSBT as a trial manager in April 2022. He earned a BSc in Biochemistry in New Zealand, following an initial career as a chef in various establishments in New Zealand, Australia and London, before moving to the UK for the second time in 2016. Soon after, he started with the University of Oxford as a preclinical lab research assistant before moving into clinical trial administration with the Jenner Institute, working on phase I, II & III IMP trials such as the Oxford COVID vaccine trial. Following this he progressed into project management in liver cancer research. Charlie is initially working with Jo Lucas to get SWiFT off the ground.

Email: charlie.brown@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Viona joined the NHSBT CTU as a Clinical Trial Coordinator in October 2022. She has a BSc in Psychology and started working in research shortly after graduating in 2011. Her first role was working as a research assistant in her home country, Germany, at the Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital. Since moving back to the UK, Viona has gained research experience in both the NHS and Academia, as well as the private sector. Viona is currently supporting the SWiFT and RESTORE trials as part of the NHSBT team.

Email: Viona.Rundell@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Gillian’s background is nursing with a degree in Health Care Studies and a Diploma in Critical Care. Prior to joining NHSBT her specialities had been intensive care, intravenous therapy and blood transfusion. She initially came into the CTU as a research nurse in 2008 for the TOPPS trial and since then has been involved in co-ordinating the TOPPS, GIN, ATHENA and ISOC2 trials. She is manager for the TREATT trial, but also worked on the Convalescent Plasma arm of the University of Oxford RECOVERY Trial alongside many other collaborators from NHSBT. Currently Gillian is working with CTU colleagues on RESTORE and continuing with TREATT, studying the effects of tranexamic acid on bleeding in patients with haematological malignancies, as it approaches the end of recruitment.

Tel: 07590 353091

Email: Gillian.powter@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Anna has recently joined the CTU team, working on the TREATT trial as a Clinical Trials Support Officer. Anna has worked for NHSBT for 3 years now in various admin roles and has nearly completed her level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration. She is looking forward to learning more about clinical trials, gaining further qualifications and furthering her knowledge within the NHS.

Chloe has progressed from being an apprentice business administrator to the role of Clinical Trials Administrator. Her new role involves providing administrative support to the Trial Managers on a day-to-day basis. It entails taking trial meeting minutes, arranging venues, catering, registration and travel requirements, as well as archiving trial documentation. Chloe is largely involved with helping to manage PROGRES and is responsible for sending randomisations to sites for CRYOSTAT-2.

Tel: 01223 588175

Email: chloe.fitzpatrick-creamer@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Matthew joined the CTU team in August 2022 following a biochemistry degree at UCL. He has previously worked for the NHS in London doing medical coding for the Islington GP federation. This was following prior experience in clinical trials and data analysis at Perspectum working on MRI medical devices. He is now working on and supporting primarily the PANDA program.

Katie has a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Birmingham. She joined the QA team in July 2019 specifically to provide Quality Assurance support to the CTU by ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the regulatory environment for clinical research. Katie joined NHSBT as a Senior Clinical Data Manager in 2018 and prior to that worked in safety and quality support at Cambridge University Hospitals specialising in applying the principles of root cause analysis to the investigation of serious patient incidents in areas of oncology, haematology and imaging. Katie has over 10 years' experience in clinical data management and clinical research gained in the biotechnology industry and contact research organisations, primarily in the fields of oncology and haematology.

Tel: 01223 588177

Email: katie.keen@nhsbt.nhs.uk