Research
My current research is focused on a) developing neuroimaging biomarkers for early diagnosis and predictive outcome of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and essential tremor; b) developing clinical pathways to improve the selection of patients with essential tremor for MRI guided focus ultrasound c) improving equality access to functional neurosurgery for patients with movement disorders d) neuro-ophthalmology imaging biomarkers for an early diagnosis of dementia syndromes.
I work and collaborate locally, nationally and globally. My clinical research is patient-focused and science-led.
My research career to date covers translational medicine using epidemiological evidences, neuroimaging discoveries and neurophysiological aspects in the field of movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases to improve the clinical management and quality of life of these groups of patients.
I am passionate about building research capacity within undergraduates; indeed, I am covering the role of the undergraduate research coordinator at the Walton Centre. I actively work in involving trainees, NHS senior clinicians and healthcare professionals with different expertise in research.
GRANTS
Principal Investigator
2025-2032: PI of a tier 3 site of the Edmond J Safra, Accelerating Clinical Trials in Parkinson’s Disease (EJS ACT-PD) Multi-arm Multi-stage Platform Trial
2025-2026: Educational grant to support a research fellowship for a junior scientist funded by the Boston Scientific
2024-2025: The Walton Centre Trust, Research Capability Fund
2023-2024: The Walton Centre Trust, Research Capability Fund
2023 – 2024: NIHR grant for the Advanced Research Scholars Programme of the NIHR Clinical Research Network North West Coast
2022: European Academic Grant to support a Regional Teaching Course at the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust (tthe first EAN regional teaching course in a Western country)
2021-2022: The Walton Centre Charity
2020-2021: The Walton Centre Trust, Research Capability Fund
2019 – 2021: NIHR grant for the Research Scholars Programme of the NIHR Clinical Research Network North West Coast
2019-2020: The Walton Centre Trust, Research Capability Fund
2017: Small Acorns Fund Grant-The National Brain Appeal Charity (National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery)
Co-Investigator
2025-2029: Developmental pathway funding scheme - MRC Research Grant
Title: AN-EYE-4-DEMENTIA: Development of AN innovative intelligent EYE imaging solution for screening of DEMENTIA (PI: Prof. Yalin Zheng, University of Liverpool).
2025-2028: Third century research accelerator program – Manchester Metropolitan University
Title: Revolutionizing deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease (PI: Prof Nicola Ray, Manchester Metropolitan University)
2023-2027: Experimental Medicine Grant - MRC Research Grant
Title: How does the pedunculopontine nucleus influence treatment responses in Parkinson's disease, and can it be targeted for new treatment strategies? (PI: Prof Nicola Ray, Manchester Metropolitan University).