Our Research Team

Co-Directors

Georgios Lyratzopoulos

Professor of Cancer Epidemiology
University College London

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Brian Nicholson

Associate Professor
University of Oxford

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PPI Board Members

Julie Callin, Patient and Public Involvement Co-Investigator

Julie has over 30 years of clinical and managerial experience in the NHS and always had a passion for patient experience and involvement in service planning and delivery. Julie stepped away from her clinical management role in 2016 and has since joined an independent statutory body which ensures NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to patient feedback to improve standards of care.

David Holden, Patient and Public Involvement Board Member

David was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer some years ago. Having experienced both the positives and negatives in NHS cancer treatment, he worked for some national cancer charities, helping set up a number of PSGs around London. He has also worked on a pilot at UCLH for the establishment of RDC’s. He is currently a PPI rep for UCLH (including their Transformation Board) and the NCL Cancer Alliance and has helped on a number of research projects across a range of cancers for a variety of research institutions.

Ceri Steele, Patient and Public Involvement Board Member

Ceri is an oesophageal cancer patient who has been doing patient involvement work for 3 years. She is particularly interested in oesophageal/gastric cancers, respiratory conditions, cardiac health, mental health and genomics.

Emily Lam, Patient and Public Involvement Board Member

Emily is a retired nurse who has become a regular NHS patient since her breast cancer diagnosis eight years ago. Driven by a strong desire to contribute to preventing breast cancer and improving care, she joined the PRU PPI board to help shape research and hopefully influence policy direction.

Kate Hawley, Patient and Public Involvement Board Member

Kate Hawley was inspired to get involved in public and patient involvement when her best friend passed away from a rare form of mouth cancer in her early thirties, leaving two preschool-aged children behind. As part of this cancer journey, Kate's friend lost the use of her voice, and so the ability for Kate to amplify the patient 'voice' is even more poignant. She is now experienced in patient and public advocacy, sitting on numerous NIHR panels to assess PPIE input into funding applications and being part of Patient Advisory Groups in Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, NICE, NHS England and Great Ormond Street Hospital. She has recently been elected as a Governor to the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust.