Looking to connect, reflect, and learn from peers across the UKCRF Network?

 

The UKCRF Network Reciprocal Mentor Directory supports informal, two‑way mentoring relationships between clinical research staff across the UK and Ireland.

Further information about reciprocal mentoring, including the Reciprocal Mentoring Guidelines, is available on our Reciprocal Mentoring page.

Browse the profiles below and connect directly with peers based on role, experience, or areas of interest to explore whether reciprocal mentoring could support your personal or professional devel

Mentor profiles:

Select a profile to learn more and contact peers directly.

Amanda (Mandi) Coutts

Role: Training Facilitator/CRN, Aberdeen R&D Dept

Interests: Career Development; Promotion; EDI; Collaboration; Team working; Networking; Education & Training; Clinical Research Delivery

Learn more:

Experience

  • CRN in acute research
  • Training Facilitator for GCP/GRP
  • Informed Consent
  • PI Roles & Responsibilities
  • Facilitating Student Nurse placements
  • Attending Career fair/college presentation re: Role of the research Nurse”

Goals

I am currently a Peer Supporter Clinical (Restorative) Supervision trained
I want to support and encourage Research as a career choice and help guide other to finding their path

Contact

Angela Conlan

Role: CRF Public and Patient Involvement, Engagement and Participation Lead at NIHR Oxford Health CRF

Interests: PPI; EDI; Career Development; Promotion

Learn more:

Experience

I have been working in public and patient involvement at the CRF for the past year, supporting researchers to make studies more inclusive and patient-centred.

My skills include developing engagement strategies, building researcher-community partnerships, and exploring creative approaches to participation. My background is in Creative Health. Passionate about improving research quality and impact through collaboration and innovation.

Goals

I would like to develop my confidence and skills in strategic thinking and organisational learning, and explore innovative approaches to engagement that can strengthen collaboration between researchers and communities.

Contact

Anna Chapman

Role: Quality Assurance Manager at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Confidence; Wellbeing; Regulatory Compliance

Learn more:

Experience

9 years of experience as a CRF Quality Assurance Manager

Goals

Keen to discuss the challenges of delivering Quality Assurance in busy teams

Contact

Antonella Ghezzi

Role: Deputy Director of Operations at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Career Development; Promotion; Confidence; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation; Clinical Research Delivery; Business Development; EDI; Collaboration; Team Working; Networking; Communication; Presentation skills; Education & Training; Industry Partnerships; International Staff Development

Learn more:

Experience

I have worked in clinical research since 2009, progressing from a junior research nurse to a senior leader within the NHS.
Over the course of my career, I have developed a deep understanding of the clinical research landscape and built strong partnerships with universities, industry collaborators, and other external stakeholders.
Through this journey, I have gained extensive management and leadership experience, which I am passionate about sharing with colleagues, particularly those aspiring to build careers in clinical leadership. I am equally committed to supporting junior team members who are exploring the wide variety of clinical and academic research opportunities available, drawing on my own experience of achieving academic qualifications alongside professional advancement.
My background also includes significant experience in NHS clinical operations, having previously served as an Assistant Chief Nurse. As an international nurse, I am especially dedicated to supporting colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds and have played an active role in championing inclusion through my leadership work with the NIHR in both past and current positions.
One of my core priorities as a leader is to support and develop the workforce, fostering positive, compassionate and fulfilling working environments where people feel valued and motivated.

Goals

I believe this is a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives with junior colleagues, gaining real‑time insights into frontline research delivery, workforce experience, and emerging innovations. It will strengthens inclusive and compassionate leadership by creating space for honest conversations between two professionals about culture, wellbeing as well as barriers to progression. It might also helps align high‑level decision‑making with operational realities. Ultimately, this two‑way learning model enables senior leaders to stay connected while empowering early‑career professionals and fostering a more engaged and equitable research workforce.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Areti Bermperi

Role: Matron at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Regulatory Compliance; Business Development; Specialisation; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation

Learn more:

Experience

Goals

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Asha Marichetty Rameshbabu

Role: Clinical Research Practitioner at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Trust CRF

Interests: Career Development; Promotion; EDI; Clinical Research Delivery

Learn more:

Experience

I have hands-on experience in clinical research delivery, with a particular strength in approaching patients for research, supporting recruitment, and completing informed consent confidently and ethically. I’m skilled at building rapport with diverse patient groups, explaining studies in an accessible way, and supporting inclusive participation in research.

I’m passionate about career development within clinical research and enjoy supporting others who are interested in becoming Clinical Research Practitioners. I’ve helped colleagues explore entry routes into research, understand required skills, and identify practical steps to progress their careers.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to my approach. I aim to promote fair access to research opportunities for both patients and staff, and I’m keen to mentor individuals from varied backgrounds who are considering or developing a career in clinical research.

Goals

I hope to learn from others’ experiences and perspectives, particularly around leadership development, and navigating challenges within clinical research. I’m keen to broaden my understanding of different roles, services, and approaches to research delivery.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Ayesha Manaal Erfan Basha

Role: Clinical Research Data Coordinator at Sheffield Teaching Hospital

Interests: Leadership; Management; Career Development; Promotion; Workload; Prioritisation; Regulatory Compliance; Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

I bring hands-on experience in clinical research within the NHS, with a strong understanding of study coordination from set-up to close-out. I have supported multiple studies simultaneously, managing data entry, CRFs, version control of study documents, and ensuring regulatory compliance at all stages. I am confident in informed consent discussions, liaising with clinicians and research nurses, and supporting site initiation and close-out activities.

Through my work, I’ve developed a strong eye for detail, particularly around documentation, monitoring findings, and timely issue resolution. I am proactive, organised, and comfortable working in fast-paced environments where accuracy and patient safety are critical. I also enjoy supporting colleagues and contributing to team efficiency, whether through sharing study knowledge or helping resolve operational challenges.

Overall, my experience has given me a practical, patient-centred perspective, strong communication skills, and a solid foundation in clinical research governance, which I am keen to continue building on.

Goals

My main goal for mentoring is career development, particularly gaining clarity on progression pathways and building the skills needed to take on more senior responsibilities. I am keen to develop my leadership capabilities, including decision-making, confidence, and the ability to support and guide others effectively.

I would also like to strengthen my communication skills, especially in professional and multidisciplinary settings, to ensure I can communicate clearly, confidently, and with impact. In the longer term, I am interested in developing mentoring skills myself, so I can support junior colleagues and contribute positively to team development and knowledge sharing.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Catherine George

Role: Matron at NIHR Manchester CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation; Communication; Presentation Skills; Education & Training; Promotion; Career Development; Clinical Research Delivery; Industry Partnerships; Collaboration; Team working; Networking; EDI

Learn more:

Experience

I am new to the Matron role and Industry Partnerships

Goals

  • Confidence and competence
  • Empowerment of staff
  • Enhance communication skills
  • Decison making

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Chiara Macor

Role: Workforce Development Lead at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Wellbeing; Education & Training; Career Development

Learn more:

Experience

Goals

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Cordelia Gray

Role: Specialist Psychotherapist, Sheffield Teaching Hospital (Neurology Psychotherapy)

Interests: Career Development; Confidence; Wellbeing; Workload, Prioritisation; Clinical Research Delivery; Collaboration; Team working, Communication; Presentation skills, EDI, Regulatory Compliance, Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

I am research lead in my team Neurology psychotherapy service. We work primarily with Functional Neurological Disorders. I have co-supervised PhD students and D Clin Psychology students and co-written a number of papers. I am interested in how to effectively research actual clinical practice.

Goals

To build confidence in writing up clinical case studies and my ability to write in an academic forum. To share skills I have found helpful in supervising student research projects.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Elka Giemza

Role: CRF Manager at NIHR King’s College CRF

Interests: Business Development; Leadership; Management; Industry Partnerships

Learn more:

Experience

I am a nurse who started working in clinical trials in 1999. I started with a small team undertaking early phase, healthy volunteer and vaccine trials as well as HIV and infectious diseases.

I gained much of my knowledge during this time at St. George’s as there were few other individuals to support me and as such, I learnt everything from submissions to sampling and laboratory & pharmacy management and set up a small CRF before I moved to King’s.

Since 2011 I have worked at Kings College Hospital, setting up the research facility from scratch where we manage up to 150 to 200 studies per year. The main focus at Kings is haematology, rheumatology, Neuro, and liver, all of which are now moving into the arena of advanced therapy which the CRF is supporting.

Goals

My five year plan includes retiring, and I have much knowledge I wish to share before I go. That isn’t to say that I don’t want to learn, as undoubtedly, I will learn new things, but I feel I must return my knowledge/experience to others as I have been so well supported through the network and others to get where I am today

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Emma Norling

Role: Team Lead & Quality Assurance Lead at Cardiff and Vale CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Wellbeing; Quality Assurance

Learn more:

Experience

I have worked in clinical research for 10 years. Started as an early phase research nurse before being team lead during covid.

I am now lead for Quality Assurance and also Team Lead. I am keen to expand into employee wellbeing with the wider team.

Goals

Hoping to visit another CRF to have a better understanding of quality assurance, therefore this mentoring would hopefully assist with that.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Eve Watson

Role: Senior Trial Coordinator at NIHR Bristol CRF

Interests: Career Development; Clinical Research Delivery; Collaboration; Team Working; Networking; Communication; Presentation Skills; Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

I have 6 and a half years research experience, 5 and a half of which are oncology clinical trials, specifically early phase and ATIMPs.
My current role involves working within a wide variety of clinical areas across the two current hospital trusts in Bristol to increase knowledge, skillset and confidence in set-up of early phase and ATIMP clinical trials.

Goals

A safe place to have discussions about challenges, successes and to broaden my knowledge by understanding different perspectives.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Faye Jowsey

Role: Cardiac Scientist at NIHR Leeds CRF

Interests: Leadership Management; Career Development; Wellbeing; Specialisation; Collaboration; Team working; Networking

Learn more:

Experience

Cardiac Scientist with a special interest in Echocardiography (BSE accredited). Experience in leadership and management, as well as training and education.

Goals

My personal goal for reciprocal mentoring is to learn from others and consider different perspectives, while also sharing my own experiences and skills to support and develop others.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Geetha Boyapati

Role: Senior Research Nurse at NIHR Barts Health CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Career Development; Promotion; Confidence; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation; Business Development; EDI; Collaboration; Team Working; Networking; Communication; Presentation Skills; Education & Training; Clinical Research Delivery; Specialisation

Learn more:

Experience

Research delivery of various speciality commercial and non-commercial clinical trials from:

  • Phase 1-4
  • ATIPMs
  • Study set-up co-ordination
  • Mentoring junior staff
  • Staff management

Goals

  • Efficient management of trial delivery
  • Education and training
  • Confidence and presentation skills
  • Learning best practices
  • Technical updates
  • Spreadsheets
  • Efficient unit meeting
  • QI processes

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Gemma Andrews

Role: BioResource Coordinator and Clinical Research Practitioner at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Clinical Research Delivery; Specialisation; Collaboration; Team working; Networking; Communication; Presentation Skills; Regulatory Compliance; Workload; Prioritisation; Confidence; Promotion; Career development; Leadership ; Management; PPI; EDI; Industry Partnerships

Learn more:

Experience

  • Research study recruitment and consent
  • Research Data collection
  • Metabolic measurements
  • Equipment management
  • Sample processing and analysis
  • Sample tracking
  • Quality Assurance
  • Audits
  • Health and safety

Goals

  • Gain advice on best practices and learn from previous experiences

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Joanna Grey

Role: Clinical Manager at NIHR Birmingham CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Confidence; Collaboration; Team working; Networking; Clinical research delivery

Learn more:

Experience

  • Clinical research nurse experience
  • Management and leadership skills
  • Problem solving

Goals

  • Understanding of other sites challenges.
  • Share or suggest solutions to challenges

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Julie Corrigan

Role: Inclusion Lead at NIHR Leeds CRF

Interests: PPI; EDI; Communication; Presentation skills; Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

I worked for over 8 years as the Operations Manager for the CRF , including setting up a new Early Phase unit and organising the UKCRF conference when in Leeds.

I have always been involved in PPIEP and I am now the Inclusion Lead for the CRF.

I am now part-time working 2 days per week.

Goals

I hope to help the Mentee with real life examples following active listening in order to provide support, feedback , constructive advice and guidance utilising my experiences working both clinically and as a manager within a Clinical Research Facility

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Kirstie Smith

Role: Senior Research Nurse at NIHR Manchester CRF

Interests: Wellbeing; EDI; Education & Training; Communication; Presentation Skills; Career Development

Learn more:

Experience

  • Over 10 years experience in research as a nurse across different specialities
  • I have a passion for making a difference and supporting others
  • I’m open and honest with an empathetic approach to patients and colleagues.

Goals

  • Sharing my knowledge and experience and learning from others
  • I believe everyone has skills and experience to share that others can learn from.
  • I find supporting and guiding others in a professional supportive manner and making a difference gives me great satisfaction.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Kishor Santhosh

Role: Quality and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Wellcome HRB Clinical Research Facility

Interests: Leadership; Management; Promotion; Workload; Prioritisation; Clinical Research Delivery; Specialisation; Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

Experience & Perspective
I am a Quality and Regulatory Affairs Manager with hands-on experience supporting clinical trials across the full lifecycle. I work at the intersection of compliance, operations, and strategy, helping teams navigate regulatory requirements while maintaining inspection readiness and data integrity. I bring a practical, risk-based perspective grounded in real-world regulatory expectations.

Areas of Expertise

  • Clinical trial quality systems and compliance
  • Regulatory strategy and submissions
  • GCP, ICH guidelines, and inspection readiness
  • Audit management and CAPA development
  • SOP development and process improvement
  • Cross-functional collaboration with clinical, medical, and operational teams

Mentoring Style & What I Offer
I am a supportive, structured mentor who focuses on clarity, confidence, and professional growth. I enjoy helping mentees understand regulatory expectations, develop critical thinking in quality decision-making, and navigate career progression in clinical research, quality, or regulatory affairs. I emphasize practical guidance, real examples, and building credibility as a QA/RA professional.

Goals

Ideal Mentees
Early- to mid-career professionals in clinical research, quality assurance, or regulatory affairs, including those transitioning into QA/RA roles or preparing for increased responsibility.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Lauren Bishop

Role: Clinical Research Nurse, Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Interests: Promotion; Confidence; Wellbeing; Clinical Research Delivery; Clinical Specialisation;

Learn more:

Experience

I am a clinical research nurse/midwife with experience of delivering paediatric and obstetric clinical studies within the NHS.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Lorinda Pickup

Role: Trials Lead Nurse at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Confidence; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation; Collaboration; Team working; Networking; Clinical Research Delivery; Leadership; Management

Learn more:

Experience

I have 29 years of experience in Paediatric and Adult nursing, working in a variety of hospital settings in the UK and Canada, including research, medical, surgical and post anaesthetic care. I have worked as a Research nurse since 2018 on the CCRC, in areas of child, maternal and adult health, facilitating the set up and running of many diverse studies. I now work as Lead Trial coordinator within the Trial coordination team, to set up and delivery Vaccine and other Early phase trials in the CCRC. I have completed a variety of leadership, coaching and mentoring courses and would describe myself as being friendly, outgoing and motivated.

Goals

I would like to use this as an opportunity to collaborate and network with others, in research and other settings. Also to support each other in areas of wellbeing and resilience, confidence and workload prioritisation.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Megan Webb

Role: Practice Development Sister at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Career Development; Promotion; Confidence; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation; Collaboration; Team working; Networking; Communication; Presentation Skills; Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

I have worked in Clinical Research for 2 years but have over five years experience in Clinical Education. I worked in Critical Care previously and am a UKCRF Network Leadership Programme Facilitator and Professional Nurse Advocate. I love teaching and, more recently, coaching and believe every day is a new opportunity to learn something new if you keep your mind open!

Goals

I have been passionate about peer mentoring since I was a student nurse so was excited to hear about this opportunity! I would like to engage with like-minded peers and help others in any way I can. A problem shared is a problem halved so I hope I can bring some positive insight and useful advise or tools to help someone else in their development.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Miryam Healy

Role: Research Nurse at HRB Wellcome Clinical Research Facility

Interests: Confidence; Clinical Research Delivery; Collaboration; Team working; Networking

Learn more:

Experience

Clinical Research Nurse with nearly 3 years’ experience delivering commercial CTIMP and non-CTIMP studies, primarily based in the UK until last year, across adult and neonatal settings. I have supported the delivery of early- and later-phase trials, acted as a key patient contact under senior oversight, and contributed to high-quality, patient-centred research care.

My experience includes GCP-compliant study delivery, IV IMP administration, supporting regulatory submissions and amendments, managing deviations and adverse events with study teams, and working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, sponsors, and CRAs. I also have experience supporting inpatient and outpatient research on clinical research facilities, planning complicated dosing study visits, and contributing to research training and onboarding.

I am keen to mentor and be mentored, particularly to support nurses newer to research, and I am very open to exchanging experience with colleagues who have greater familiarity with the Irish research environment, as I continue to transition and develop my practice here in Ireland.

Goals

I’m hoping to learn more about how clinical research works in other sites in Ireland. I really value reciprocal mentoring as a way to share experiences, learn from others, and support each other’s development

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Naomi Hickey

Role: Education and Quality Lead at Glasgow CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Career Development; Promotion; Collaboration; Team Working; Networking; Communication; Presentation Skills; Regulatory Compliance; Education & Training; Clinical Research Delivery; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation

Learn more:

Experience

With a role in education, I have experience in supporting career development and staff growth. I also have in depth knowledge of GCP standards and research delivery.

Goals

Discussions about managing difficult conversations and poor performance, whilst balancing staff morale and enthusiasm

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Nicholas Gamazo

Role: Senior Clinical Research Nurse at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Clinical Research Delivery; Career Development; Leadership; Management; Confidence; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation; EDI; Communication; Presentation Skills

Learn more:

Experience

I’m a senior clinical research nurse with 10 years experience delivering clinical research in different clinical specialties with a main focus on late phase oncology studies
I’m very interested in areas such as leadership and management of clinical research teams, career development.

Goals

I hoper to learn from other professionals experiences and expertise. Also reflection on my own practice and experience to enable me to implement new strategies and ways of working that may help my further development and performance

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Nisha Kandasamy

Role: Senior Clinical Research Sister at NIHR Cambridge CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Career development; Promotion; Wellbeing; Workload; Prioritisation; Collaboration; Team Working; Networking; Communication; Presentation Skills; Regulatory Compliance; Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

  • Experience in early phase oncology unit for 8 years and as a senior sister/team leader for 4 years
  • Past mentoring experience with student nurses, overseas nurses and newly joined research nurses
  • Teaching and training skills in sample handling in research and experience in complex sample processing

Goals

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Noriko Cable

Role: Senior Clinical Research Sister at Moorfields Eye Hospital

Interests: Career development; Wellbeing; Communication; Presentation Skills; Research Statistics

Learn more:

Experience

  • Extensive quantitative skills, i.e. statistics.
  • Presentaton skills based on numerous attendance to international conferences
  • Abstract writing
  • Database management
  • Problem solving

Goals

I would like to be involved in the people who are new to Research and help navigating their career pathways.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Rebecca Sands

Role: Paediatric Research Nurse at Children’s CRF

Interests: Career development; Wellbeing; Collaboration; Team working; Networking; Clinical Research Delivery; Education & Training

Learn more:

Experience

Over two years experience working in an MHRA phase 1 accredited CRF in which my role as a paediatric research nurse is varied from day to day. One of the main responsibilities of the children’s CRF is conducting CTIMP and non-CTIMP clinical research studies for children and adolescents with a variety of health conditions. Our nursing team have a range of clinical skills and work closely with other disciplines (medical/pharmacy/imaging) in order to deliver high quality care while working to research protocols.

Goals

I would like to explore opportunities for career development within the research field, learn from the experiences of other CRFs and identify new ways to boost team morale and wellbeing.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Revathy Raju Bindu

Role: Clinical Support Worker/Public Health Graduate at Sheffield Teaching Hospital

Interests: Career Development; Confidence; Promotion; Leadership; Management; Education & Training; Communication; Presentation Skills; Collaboration; Team Working; Networking

Learn more:

Experience

I did a bachelor’s degree in alternative healthcare medicine and a masters in hospital administration from India. I also have an MSc in Public Health from the UK. I have working experience of 5 years in the healthcare industry. I have good IT skills. I have previously worked as the programme coordinator of Heartcare Foundation for a charitable trust In India. I am very much interested in research. I did a quantitative research for my dissertation topic related to mental health. I did the data collection and the data analysis using SPSS and Excel. I have completed the good clinical practice training course from the NIHR.

Goals

I want to progress in my career especially in public health research. I want to know what extra courses I need to do to progress and any training or observer-ship can be done to develop my career in research.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Sam Ratcliffe

Role: CRF Nursing and Midwifery Lead at NIHR Manchester CRF

Interests: Leadership; Management; Promotion; Career Development; Confidence; Collaboration; Team Working; Networking; Regulatory Compliance; Education & Training; Industry Partnerships

Learn more:

Experience

I have 11 years of experience in research delivery, including 10 years in phase 3 studies (Bands 6-8) and 7 years in management roles (Bands 7-8b). My skills include research delivery, operational leadership, and strategic planning.

Goals

I hope to build professional connections with peers across the network to facilitate opportunities to share experiences, learning and best practice. I would like to share and understand the challenges we face and strategies to overcome them. I also hope to grow professionally in confidence, knowledge, and skills, while supporting others to develop in the same way

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Samuel Agyapong

Role: Research Nurse at NIHR Oxford Health CRF

Interests: Career development; Confidence; Wellbeing; Clinical Research Delivery; Education & Training; Communication; Presentation Skills

Learn more:

Experience

Goals

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Sian Hanison

Role: CRF Operational Director at NIHR Manchester CRF

Interests: Open to all areas of discussion

Learn more:

Experience

I am currently the Operational Director of the NIHR Manchester CRF. I’m scientist by background and have been working in various R&I and CRF management roles for almost 20 years. I have also recently joined the UKCRF Network as the Deputy Lead for Work Package 2.

Goals

I am very much looking forward to meeting new people, sharing ideas, and learning together through this scheme.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

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