Steve Pratt's research experience

I am the research delivery manager for children and young people's research, which includes schools, reproductive health and childbirth, genetics, mental health and dementias and neurodegenerative disease specialties for CRN NENC. Since joining the NIHR CRN in 2008 I have worked in a number of operational and strategic leadership roles supporting the delivery of health and care research.

Prior to joining the NIHR I worked as a postdoctoral academic researcher at Durham University and The University of Sheffield within the field of biomedical sciences. I am passionate about enabling the development, delivery and implementation of research that impacts positively on health and care outcomes, through partnership working. Tips to get involved in research include contacting your research and development and CRN specialty team and speak to colleagues who are already involved in research about their experiences.

Dr Bob Barber's research experience

I am specialty group lead for DeNDRoN. My own research has focused on the role of neuroimaging in understanding dementias as well an investigator on a number of commercial and non-commercial clinical trials. I am an honorary clinical senior lecturer with Newcastle University.

Dr Andrew Byrne's research experience

I work as a consultant old age psychiatrist and I am the Local Clinical Research Network Dementia Research Lead as well as a member of several research groups, such as the North East and North Cumbria DeNDRoN Speciality Group. My main research interest is dementia treatment. I am Principal Investigator for several NHS dementia research studies, facilitating patient and carer involvement in research.

Dr Alison Yarnall's research experience

I completed my PhD in 2013 at Newcastle University, which entailed looking at biomarkers of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease. I am now Professor of Geriatric Medicine; Deputy Director of the Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU); and Honorary Consultant in Older People’s Medicine at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

I have a particular interest in mobility, cognition, gait and falls in people with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases and have published more than 100 articles in this topic area.  I run a specialist clinic for older adults with Parkinson’s and complex health needs in NuTH, in addition to a general medical memory clinic.

Dr Suresh Komati's research experience

I am a consultant in a regional, tertiary care specialist neuropsychiatry service based at Walkergate Park Hospital in Newcastle and am the clinical lead for specialist Huntington’s disease service in the North East of England. I am a principal investigator for Huntington's disease NIHR portfolio studies and work closely with the colleagues within the NIHR.

My other roles include; Huntington’s disease specialty lead for the North East and North Cumbria Clinical Research Network (CRN) and I form part of the national portfolio management group for Huntington’s disease. I also am the regional specialty representative (RSR) for neuropsychiatry in the North East of England and an executive committee member in neuropsychiatry faculty at Royal College of Psychiatrists

Dr Tim Williams's research experience

I am a consultant neurologist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary's Neurosciences Centre where I specialise in motor neurone disorders.