How did you get started in research/what inspired you?

I have always been honoured to be part of those magical moments when parents see their baby for the first time on the screen and begin to form a lifelong bond. It is a truly special experience for all parents, though some find the examination process very stressful. I have found that engaging in friendly talk with patients helps to break the ice and create a relaxing and trusting environment. These short conversations have made me realise that radiographers can play a much broader role in supporting families throughout their pregnancy journeys.

Due to the nature of the clinics I worked in, I frequently scanned women and pregnant people at risk of pre-eclampsia, a very serious pregnancy complication that can be deadly in severe cases. Those at increased risk are advised to take low-dose aspirin daily, but I discovered through conversations with my patients that they often did not understand why or how they should take aspirin. Motivated to provide better information to our service users, I initiated several projects to uncover the reasons why women and pregnant people don't take aspirin as prescribed, what their informational needs are, and what prevents healthcare professionals from having meaningful conversations about aspirin use in pregnancy.

As I developed my skills and expertise in medication adherence, I supported the delivery of a wide portfolio of national and international research projects. I worked on commercial, NIHR portfolio, and non-portfolio research, while also mentoring and supervising colleagues and students.

What do you enjoy about research?

In my research, I work closely with service users and charities. Collaborating with people highly motivates me, amplifying the satisfaction of success and helping me navigate the challenges of the research journey. Engaging with service users ensures that the research remains focused on women and pregnant people, making a real difference in their healthcare experience.

What training and support have you found most valuable in your career?

I had the opportunity to access both workplace and formal research training. Working with the clinical research delivery team provided me with hands-on research experience, while formal training at Newcastle University as part of my Master's in Clinical Research degree and current PhD studies, equipped me with essential academic skills. Additionally, I gained experience in an academic environment during my National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Pre-doctoral and Applied Research Collaboration fellowships.

The most valuable support throughout my career has come from my amazing mentors, supervisors, and peers.

Which people/organisations did you get in touch with to help you?

I enjoy collaborating with experts by experience, clinicians, and academics across multiple organizations. I am fortunate to be one of the first fellows of the Newcastle Hospitals Researcher Development Institute (RDI), which supports nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) locally. The RDI and the NMAHP research team are dedicated to helping NMAHPs begin their research journeys.

When applying for funding, I found the NIHR Research Support Service instrumental in providing practical advice and supporting patient public engagement activities. Additionally, close links with teams from Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, the Newcastle Health Innovations Partnership (NHIP), and Applied Research Collaboration have provided me with valuable access to training and academic expertise.

I also engage with voluntary and social enterprise organizations such as Action on Pre-eclampsia, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, and the Newcastle West End Food Bank, which support wider patient public activities.