Who's who

who's who in R&D in rotherham

Find out who's who in our team. You can read more about the work of Rotherham's R&D department on our homepage.

your research delivery team

Professor Anil Hormis, Director of Research and Development (R&D)
I work in the Trust as a Consultant in Anaesthesia & Critical Care Medicine. I am also the Director of R&D in the Trust. Working closely with the Lead Research Nurse, I oversee the coordination and running of research trials within the Trust. I also Chair the Trust’s Research & Innovation Group. My personal research interests are within Anaesthesia and Critical Care. We are running numerous clinical trials within the Critical Care Unit. I also lead all the Urgent Public Health COVID-19 trials within the Trust (eg) RECOVERY, REMAP-CAP, GENOMICC and also am leading on clinical trials looking at Long-COVID (eg) PIM-COVID, PHOSP-COVID.
Email: [email protected]

Rachel Walker, Lead Research Nurse/Research & Development Manager
I have worked as a Clinical Research Nurse since 2010, initially supporting research across South Yorkshire for the NIHR Clinical Research Network. I joined the Rotherham R&D Department in 2016 as Lead Research Nurse. The department has grown research in the Trust year on year and a highlight was the team being shortlisted for the Nursing Times Award in 2018. Since November 2020 I have had a dual role, as I am also the R&D Manager. My ambition is to create a research culture and embed research in all services at TRFT.
Email: [email protected]

Lisa Zeidan, Clinical Research Nurse
I have over seven years’ experience of working in Clinical Research on a portfolio of both commercial and non-commercial studies. Topics span a wide spectrum including trials in Diabetes, Emergency Care, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Tissue Viability, Palliative Care, Primary Care and most recently Infectious Diseases including a number of Covid-19 vaccination trials.
Email: [email protected]

Dawn Collier, Clinical Research Nurse
I have over seven years’ research experience. I have worked on numerous research studies in Integrated Sexual Health, ENT, Rheumatology, Orthopaedics, Haematology, Critical Care & Anaesthetics, Colorectal and Cardiology, amongst others.
Email: [email protected]

Cheryl Graham, Clinical Research Nurse
I joined the research team in May 2021 following a few years in the Trust's Critical Care Unit. I previously worked in A&E and Orthopaedics, therefore my interests are in the areas of emergency care, critical care and surgical patients.
I oversee the research studies running critical care, anaesthetics and breast cancer. I have also worked on studies looking at treatments for COVID-19, including a COVID-19 vaccination trial.
I am passionate about being able to offer the opportunity of taking part in research to a wide range of patients, from elective surgical patients to the most ill in critical care. I also enjoy training new staff about the research that is taking part in their departments.
Email: [email protected]

Rachael Gaffney, Clinical Research Nurse
I joined the Research Team in 2023. I have been passionate about research in healthcare since I was a student nurse in 2008 undertaking an elective placement at the specialist Cancer Research Centre at Weston Park - spending time in laboratories, in specialist Oncology clinics and following the patient's journey gave me an insight into how forward thinking practice can have a positive impact on patient care. It is very rewarding seeing the progression of interventions that are now used as standard procedure more than a decade later.
My background as a Nurse in Emergency Medicine has provided a broad spectrum of knowledge and the diversity of research studies undertaken at TFRT enables me to gain in-depth knowledge in all specialities.
Email: r[email protected]

Riya Mathew, Clinical Research Nurse
I started working as a research nurse in the R&D department in 2023. I'm currently focusing on research studies in field of anaesthesia and orthopaedics. I have background of working in acute medicine.
I'm always motivated to work as a research nurse for having the opportunity to contribute to innovative studies that can lead to new treatments and guidelines in the future.

Hannah Randall, Clinical Trials Assistant
I joined the Trust as a Clinical Trials Assistant in September 2024 after completing my Medical Genetics degree. My studies gave me an insight into how clinical research works, and the impact that it can have on patient care, leading me to begin my research career here at the Trust. I look forward to building on my knowledge and skills and being part of a team focussed on continuously improving the patient experience.

Susan Oakley, Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician
I have worked in the Trust as a Pharmacy Technician for over 19 years. My research journey began in 2016 where I have worked on numerous research studies both commercial and non-commercial.
As a Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician I ensure quality management of clinical trial investigational medicinal products (IMP) by having functional quality systems in place, which is fundamental to ensuring patient safety and research data.
Email: [email protected]

Dr George Hamson, Clinical Research Fellow
I joined the Research Team in August 2024. I graduated from The University of Nottingham Medical School in 2022 and completed Foundation Training in West Yorkshire. I work closely with the Research Nurses in the delivery of clinical trials across The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.
My main areas of interest are Critical Care Medicine, Anaesthetics and Emergency Medicine.
Email: [email protected]

Ferzanah Salim, Research Management & Governance Study Co-ordinator
I have worked in the Trust's R&D department since 2016. I work closely with clinicians, research nurses and external sponsors to assess and review potential research studies before confirming the Trust's capacity and capability to deliver clinical trials. As well as facilitating ethics approval for both academic and non-academic research, I also advise and support clinicians and allied health professionals who are keen to embark on their own research pathway.
Email: [email protected]

Katy Curtis, Research Administrator
I have worked within the Trust's R&D department since 2017. I work closely with the Research Management and Governance Co-ordinator and the research nurses with study setup and amendments, maintenance of documentation and data entry. I provide a general administrative service to the team and also maintain this website.
Email: [email protected]