REFLEX This three-year multi-site NHS research study (2023–2026) evaluated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of screening methods to identify individuals at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.
As the project lead, I managed the lifecycle from initial research feasibility and evidence gap analysis through to study development, NHS setup, recruitment, data collection, analysis, and publication.
Key Metrics:
➔ Randomised controlled trial (RCT)
➔ 26 active NHS sites
➔ 640 participants recruited
End-to-End Deliverables:
Research Question ➔ Protocol ➔ Patient Materials ➔ Costing ➔ Funding Secured ➔ PPIE ➔ Study Website ➔ IRAS & Ethics ➔ Site & Participant Recruitment ➔ Data Collection & Database ➔ Analysis ➔ Publication
Liver Service NHS-commissioned community diagnostic service.
I established and led the Southampton Community Liver Assessment Service embedded within primary care, providing FibroScan assessments for GP-referred. Alongside clinical delivery I evaluated routine patient data to publish a formal service evaluation and develop the ALBA algorithm for targeted liver disease identification.
Key Metrics:
➔ Scaled from Southampton to South West Hampshire GP practices
➔ Maximised secondary care efficiency via timely, high risk referrals
➔ Reduced unnecessary hospital referrals through local triage
End-to-End Deliverables:
Clinical Pathway Co-design ➔ Primary Care Embedding ➔ FibroScan Service Delivery ➔ Lifestyle Advice Integration ➔ GP Trust & Engagement ➔ PPIE ➔ Data Analysis ➔ ALBA Algorithm Development ➔ Site & Participant Recruitment ➔ Published Service Evaluation ➔ Regional expansion
ESCALATE Effectiveness evaluation embedded within a new NHS service.
I am leading the academic evaluation of a new NHS service delivering Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) for patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease secondary to metabolic associated-dysfunction steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This will be a mixed methods feasibility study to establish routine clinical acceptability and generate the foundational data needed for a future multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Key Metrics:
➔ Funding applied for to run this innovative pilot evaluation
➔ Implemented updated global MASLD diagnostic criteria
➔ Direct pipeline to future multi-centre national RCT
End-to-End Deliverables:
Academic Evaluation Design ➔ Funding Secured ➔ Protocol Development ➔ Study Sponsor Review ➔ IRAS & Ethics Submission ➔ Service Integration ➔ Mixed Methods Data Collection ➔ Feasibility Analysis
Qualitative and Longitudinal Evaluation.
While serving as Trial Manager for the LOCATE study (evaluating GP-embedded liver nurse support), I identified a gap for a qualitative process evaluation. Operating through Core Minutes Research, I independently designed and executed this study to map the implementation barriers and facilitators within primary care. Recognising a further evidence gap, I subsequently designed, funded, and led a 54-month post-recruitment longitudinal follow-up study—repeating baseline assessments and rescanning participants—to evaluate long-term outcomes.
Key Metrics:
➔ Transitioned from Trial Manager to Independent Lead Investigator
➔ Secured Indepdent funding for both sub-studies
➔ Delivered long-term longitudinal data (54 months post-recruitment)
➔ Published two distinct peer-reviewed papers as lead investigator
End-to-End Deliverables
Opportunity Identification ➔ Protocol Development ➔ Regulatory Approvals ➔ Fieldwork & Qualitative Analysis ➔ First Publication ➔ Long-term Funding Secured ➔ Follow-up Protocol ➔ Longitudinal Patient Rescanning ➔ Second Publication
PIVOT Overcoming geographical inequalities in liver care
I designed the development of the PIVOT study, a mixed-methods natural experimental evaluation of an integrated, mobile community liver assessment service for patients with type 2 diabetes. Having completely finalised the design, protocol, patient literature, and formal NHS Sponsor approval, the project is fully “shovel-ready” and currently positioned for funding acquisition.
Key Metrics:
➔ Researcher-led natural experimental design
➔ Completed governance pipeline ready for immediate rollout
➔ Targeted primary care intervention for high-risk diabetes pathways
End-to-End Deliverables:
Concept & Design ➔ Protocol Finalised ➔ Patient Information Developed ➔ IRAS Submission Prepared ➔ Sponsor Approval Secured ➔ Funding Acquisition (current) ➔ Launch ➔ Mixed-Methods Evaluation