Meet the Departmental EDI Team

All members of the team are available to offer a listening ear, help and guidance.

Gita Ramdharry (Chair of EDI Committee)

Dr Gita Ramdharry is an Honorary Associate Professor in the department and works clinically as a Consultant Allied Health Professional at NHNN. She is the PI for the Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research group also sits on the IoN EDI committee and NHNN BAME network.

Email: g.ramdharry@ucl.ac.uk

Debbie Hadley (Deputy Chair of EDI Committee)

Debbie Hadley is a senior administrator in the department and supports all staff, students and visitors. Debbie is committed to ensuring that the Department / Institute of Neurology / University is a welcoming, friendly, dynamic and inclusive environment that allows everyone to learn, integrate and flourish.

Email: d.hadley@ucl.ac.uk

Stephanie Efthymiou

Dr Stephanie Efthymiou is a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at ICGNMD and is involved in implementing and refining robust ICGNMD genetic testing protocols and ensuring smooth progress via careful sample and data curation. Stephanie brings extensive experience through her work for the Wellcome Trust Strategic Award for Synaptopathies and her research on the genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders. In 2020, she completed a PhD on the genetic and functional basis of rare demyelinating neuropathies, under the supervision of Professor Houlden and Dr Bettencourt. Stephanie is very proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community at UCL and is very enthusiastic about Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) matters. Stephanie is keen to interact with different people and groups within UCL on doing things better and delivering our strategic outcomes that she hopes will help both current and future generations at the College.

Email: s.efthymiou@ucl.ac.uk

Hannah Franklin

Hannah Franklin is a third-year PhD student on the four-year MRC DTP Neuroscience and mental health programme. Hannah is a proud member of the Patani Lab and her research focuses on of the role of astrocytes in motor neuron disease. Through her roles as student representative on the MRC DTP, as a buddy to IoN PhD students, and as a member of the NMD EDI committee, Hannah hopes to facilitate a friendly and inclusive environment that supports, celebrates, and empowers all members of our community.

Email: hannah.franklin@ucl.ac.uk

Bilal Malik

Dr Bilal Malik is a Senior Research Fellow in the department.

Email: b.malik@ucl.ac.uk

Mie Rizig

Dr Mie Rizig is a Clinician and Senior Research Fellow in the department.

Email: mie.rizig.13@ucl.ac.uk

Martha Roberts

Martha Roberts a third year PhD student on the UCL MRC Doctoral Training Programme, with a background in biology and psychology. Martha completed her MSc at UCL after an undergraduate natural sciences degree at Durham. She is working to find novel drugs for a neuromuscular disease called SBMA. Martha is passionate about improving diversity and inclusion in our community, and making UCL a comfortable place for everyone. Not only will this improve the quality of our research, but it will also make UCL a more enjoyable place to develop, spend time and build relationships.

Email: martha.roberts.16@ucl.ac.uk

Rebecca Simkin

Rebecca is a second-year PhD student in the Fratta Lab, based at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Francis Crick Institute. Her research focuses on the neuromuscular system in ALS, and in particular, aims to determine how mutations in RNA-binding proteins lead to spinal motor neuron vulnerability. Rebecca has always been passionate about improving student experience, and hopes to use her knowledge from previous positions as course/academic representative to positively contribute to the EDI committee.

Email: rebecca.simkin.20@ucl.ac.uk

Wei Zhang

Dr Wei Zhang is a Clinical Research Fellow and PhD student. As a mature student with three children five and under, Wei is passionate about making the work place inclusive and accessible for those with caring responsibilities. Career choices, especially those for early career researchers are constrained and shaped by context. Wei is keen to be part of the movement, to break-through structural and organisational barriers so that everyone has a voice at the table.

Email: wei-jia.zhang@ucl.ac.uk