Our people

Internationally recognised expert in neuromuscular disease, genetics and translational medicine, whose work focuses on translating scientific discoveries into new treatments for children with rare and complex conditions. As Director of the NIHR GOSH Biomedical Research Centre, he leads pioneering research that accelerates the development of innovative therapies and improves outcomes for children worldwide

Lyn is a specialist in genetics and fetal medicine whose research has helped advance the use of genomic technologies to improve prenatal diagnosis. Her work focuses on developing and implementing non-invasive genetic testing and other approaches that enable earlier and more accurate diagnoses for children and families.

David has more than 20 years’ experience in health and clinical research across the NHS, academia and NIHR research infrastructure. His background spans research management, funding and operational leadership, supporting the delivery and translation of research into improvements in patient care

Paul is a clinician-scientist specialising in rare inherited metabolic disorders. His research focuses on understanding the genetic causes of these conditions and developing new therapies, including gene-based treatments, to improve outcomes for children with rare diseases

Claire is a paediatric immunologist whose research focuses on developing gene therapies for children with rare inherited immune disorders. Her work has helped advance new treatment approaches for conditions that previously had limited therapeutic options, bringing gene therapies closer to routine clinical care for patients.

David is a researcher in paediatric kidney disease whose work focuses on understanding how kidneys develop and what causes them to become damaged. His research uses advanced imaging, stem cell and gene-based approaches to identify new ways to prevent and treat kidney disease in children.

Lyn is a specialist in genetics and fetal medicine whose research has helped advance the use of genomic technologies to improve prenatal diagnosis. Her work focuses on developing and implementing non-invasive genetic testing and other approaches that enable earlier and more accurate diagnoses for children and families.

Sergi is a genomics researcher whose work focuses on improving the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of rare diseases using advanced genomic and computational approaches. His research combines laboratory science, data analysis and emerging technologies, including AI, to help translate genomic discoveries into benefits for patients.

Amy is a paediatric neurologist and researcher whose work focuses on understanding the genetic causes of early-onset epilepsy and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Her research combines genomic technologies with laboratory models to improve diagnosis and support the development of more targeted treatments for children with severe epilepsies.

Manju is a paediatric neurologist and neurogenetics researcher whose work focuses on uncovering the genetic causes of childhood neurological disorders, including movement disorders, epilepsy and neurodegenerative conditions. Her research aims to improve diagnosis and develop more personalised treatments for children affected by rare neurological diseases.

Darren is a paediatric neuro-oncologist whose research focuses on childhood brain and spinal tumours, with a particular interest in developing new and more targeted treatments for children and young people with cancer. His work combines clinical trials, tumour biology and innovative imaging approaches to improve outcomes for patients.

Haiyan is a genetic medicine researcher whose work focuses on developing RNA and other nucleic acid therapies for rare genetic disorders. Her research aims to translate these innovative treatments from the laboratory into clinical use, helping to create new options for children and families affected by rare diseases.

Harry is a clinical geneticist and researcher whose work focuses on understanding how human development is regulated in the earliest stages of life. Using genetics and stem cell biology, he investigates the causes of rare developmental disorders with the aim of improving diagnosis and identifying future treatment opportunities for children.

Jane is a developmental biologist and geneticist whose research focuses on understanding how the eye develops and why childhood eye disorders occur. Her work has helped improve the genetic diagnosis of inherited eye conditions and advance the development of stem cell and gene-based therapies aimed at restoring sight.

Paolo is a paediatric surgeon and researcher whose work focuses on stem cells, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for children with complex congenital conditions. His research has helped advance the development of engineered tissues and organs, including contributing to the first successful transplantation of a tissue-engineered trachea in a child.

Conor's research focuses on how the gut develops and repairs itself, and how regenerative medicine can be used to treat childhood gastrointestinal disorders. He is developing stem cell-based therapies for conditions such as Hirschsprung disease, with the aim of restoring normal gut function and improving outcomes for children.

Stavros is a paediatric surgeon and researcher whose work focuses on developing new treatments for congenital conditions before and shortly after birth. His research explores fetal therapy, regenerative medicine and stem cell approaches, alongside the use of emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and artificial intelligence to improve outcomes for children with rare diseases.

Andrew is a clinician-scientist whose research focuses on the use of imaging, data science and digital technologies to improve outcomes for children with serious health conditions. His work has helped advance the use of large-scale health data, artificial intelligence and innovative imaging techniques to support more personalised and effective healthcare.

Pia is an epidemiologist whose research uses large-scale health and administrative data to understand how environmental and social factors affect children's health. Her work focuses on issues such as air pollution, housing, climate and respiratory infections, helping to generate evidence that can improve child health and reduce inequalities.

Lola is a paediatric ophthalmologist and epidemiologist whose research focuses on improving outcomes for children with rare and complex eye conditions. Using health data, clinical studies and patient-centred research, she works to generate the evidence needed to improve care, inform policy and reduce vision loss in childhood.

Philippa's research focuses on understanding the causes of inherited metabolic disorders, particularly those that affect the brain and nervous system. Her work has helped improve the diagnosis of rare metabolic diseases and supports the development of new treatments for children affected by these conditions.

Terence is a paediatrician and child health researcher whose work has focused on improving outcomes for children through clinical research, health services research and evidence-based policy. His research has advanced understanding of childhood illness and helped shape national standards for children's healthcare and health services.

Graeme is a clinical academic dietitian whose research focuses on nutrition in children with complex health conditions. His work has improved understanding of nutritional care in paediatric eating disorders and critical illness, helping to inform clinical practice and improve outcomes for children.

Chris is a paediatric respiratory physician and researcher whose work focuses on respiratory diseases and the function of cilia, the microscopic structures that help keep the airways healthy. His research has improved the diagnosis and understanding of rare conditions such as primary ciliary dyskinesia and supports the development of new treatments for children with respiratory diseases.

David's work focuses on helping translate healthcare research and innovation into real-world benefits for patients. With a background spanning healthcare, medical technology and research innovation, he supports the development and adoption of new approaches that can improve outcomes for children and young people.

Monica's research focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people through collaborative work with families, communities and public services. She uses participatory research approaches to address health inequalities and develop evidence that informs policy, practice and services for children, particularly those from underserved communities.

Polly is a clinical academic nurse whose research focuses on improving the experiences and outcomes of children and young people living with chronic and rare health conditions. Her work combines co-design, digital innovation and patient involvement to develop better support for children and families, including new approaches to mental health and long-term condition management.

Deirdre has dedicated her career to ensuring that children, young people, families and the public play a meaningful role in shaping health research. Through her work in patient and public involvement and engagement, she has helped researchers work in partnership with patients, making research more relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs of children and families.

Karin's research focuses on understanding how metals and vitamins support healthy brain development, and how disruptions in these processes lead to rare neurological and metabolic disorders in children. Her work has helped identify inherited manganese transport disorders and is supporting the development of new treatments for children affected by these conditions.

Alexandra is a paediatric immunologist whose research focuses on understanding how the thymus and immune system develop, and why this process can go wrong in children with rare immune disorders. Her work aims to improve outcomes for children with severe T-cell immunodeficiencies and advance new approaches to immune system restoration and thymus replacement therapies.

Athina is a geneticist whose research focuses on understanding the genetic causes of rare diseases and developing innovative gene and cell therapies for children. Her work combines advanced genomic technologies with translational research to support the development of new treatments for patients with serious and life-limiting conditions.

Naresh's research focuses on understanding how the brain controls fundamental functions such as stress, appetite and reproduction, and how these systems are affected in neurodevelopmental disorders. Using advanced genomic and neuroscience techniques, he investigates the brain circuits that underpin behaviour and aims to translate these discoveries into better understanding and treatment of rare neurological conditions.

Esther has extensive experience in operational leadership within specialist children's healthcare. Alongside her leadership roles, she has championed equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives that help create a more inclusive research environment for patients, families and staff.

Poonam works to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across research activities at GOSH and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. She supports initiatives that improve representation, encourage inclusive research practices and help ensure that the benefits of research reach diverse communities.

Vanessa works across research partnerships, operations and stakeholder engagement to support collaborative paediatric research and innovation. With a background as a postdoctoral researcher in cardiovascular science, she brings together expertise in research and programme management to help build partnerships, share knowledge and accelerate the translation of research into benefits for children and young people.

Azeezat works to strengthen collaborations that support paediatric translational research and innovation. With a background in neuroscience research, she brings together researchers, clinicians, patients, charities and external partners to help develop new opportunities, build networks and accelerate research that benefits children and young people.