Parents and Carers Members

Maylani Appasamy (Staff)

Maylani started working at UCL in March 2020 but joined the UCL Medical School (UCLMS) in October 2021. She is currently the Staffing and Module Coordinator in the Clinical and Professional Practice (CPP) Unit.  Her previous roles in the UCLMS include CPP Staffing Administrator and CPP Timetabling Coordinator.

Maylani has 2 children: one daughter aged 12 and one son aged 10. When she is not working, she spends time with her children. She also enjoys cooking, baking, reading and going on long walks.

Kerry Calvo (staff)

I’m an Associate Professor (Teaching) in the Postgraduate Medical Education Team, where I co-lead the Master’s programme in Health Professions Education and have a role as a Personal Academic Tutor. 

My clinical background as a GP informs my academic interests, which include student and staff support, neurodiversity and inclusive pedagogy, and creating flexible approaches to working and studying.

As someone who has navigated the complexities of being the main carer for a terminally ill partner while parenting a toddler; then working multiple jobs as a single parent; and now being part of a neurodiverse blended family; I bring lived experience to my role as co-Lead of the EDI subgroup for parents and carers.

I’m passionate about advocating for flexible, compassionate solutions that enable parents and carers to balance their professional, academic, and personal lives—without losing sight of their own wellbeing.
 

Lisa Gould (Staff)

I’m an Associate Professor in Medical Education in the Research Department of Medical Education (RDME). 

My main role involves research on clinical communication, postgraduate medical training and assessment, and practitioner and medical student wellbeing. I also supervise postgraduate students’ masters and PhD research, and teach qualitative research methods on postgraduate taught programmes.

I balance working full-time with being an adoptive parent to my two pre-teen daughters in a neurodiverse family. I bring to the parents and carers sub-group my experience of going through the adoption process, navigating the special educational needs (SEN) support system, and being a queer parent.

Managing work, parenting, and caring can be difficult but rewarding, and there is support out there!

Carla Sanches (Staff)

Carla has recently joined UCL Medical School as an Admissions & Visiting Electives Administrator. Her responsibilities include coordinating the Multiple Mini Interviews for prospective medical students and managing the Visiting Electives programme at UCL.

With many years of experience in higher education, Carla takes great pleasure in connecting with students and helping them achieve the best university experience possible.

As a first-time mother to an energetic 1-year-old boy, she is navigating the rewarding but challenging balance of work and motherhood.

Rowena Viney (Staff)

I’m an Associate Professor in Medical Education in the Research Department of Medical Education (RDME). My main role involves research on clinical communication, postgraduate medical training and assessment, and practitioner and medical student wellbeing. 

I also supervise postgraduate students’ masters and PhD research, and teach qualitative research methods on postgraduate taught programmes.

I balance working full-time with being an adoptive parent to my two pre-teen daughters in a neurodiverse family. I bring to the parents and carers sub-group my experience of going through the adoption process, navigating the special educational needs (SEN) support system, and being a queer parent.  

Managing work, parenting, and caring can be difficult but rewarding, and there is support out there!