Meet the Research team

Sue is a nurse by background with clinical experience in spinal injuries, general medicine, and sexual health. She has a strong research background, having worked in a university setting where she developed research projects, secured funding, designed questionnaires, conducted interviews and focus groups, and contributed to academic publications.

Her hospital-based research experience includes involvement in several clinical drug trials across cardiology, COVID-19, and gastroenterology.

Sue currently works in palliative care, focusing on anxiety management in breathlessness and contributing to several Motor Neurone Disease (MND) studies. Throughout her clinical career, she has provided mentorship and supervision to both student and qualified nurses. She continues to be actively involved in clinical supervision within LOROS, supporting nursing and healthcare staff in their ongoing professional development and reflective practice.

Frankie recently joined as a Research Associate for the CfE.  Her time will be dedicated to assisting in the DAPPLE Project (Developing effective service models for Adult Palliative and end of life care for People with a Learning disability), as well as other Centre for Excellence projects. 

 In September 2024, I handed in my PhD thesis, which explored the implementation and adoption of technology enabled care in older adult care, which I completed at Nottingham Trent University.  For several years, I worked as a Research Assistant, within the Mary Seacole Research Centre at De Montfort University on various projects including MeHeLp (Mental Health Literacy in India), Inclusion in NHS Derbyshire and Sickle Cell Disease and Shielding Experiences. I do have a BSc in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, and a Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience, which I completed at the University of Nottingham. 

Wendy is a nurse by background with extensive experience in palliative and end of life care, as well as cardiovascular medicine. She has over 30 years of research experience across clinical, coordination, management, and governance roles. 

Wendy began her research career in 1992 at LOROS, where she was working as a nurse. In 1995, she moved on to roles at the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL), working across all three hospital sites. During this time, she progressed from a research nurse position into research coordination and management. 

She later became Research Governance Manager at the University of Leicester, a post she held for four years before returning to LOROS in 2016 as Research Manager. Wendy now works part-time as the Research Manager at Rainbows Hospice for Babies, Children and Young People and is seconded one day a week to LOROS as a Research Governance Specialist. In this role, she supports the research team and the delivery of the research portfolio at LOROS. 

Wendy has worked closely with the Clinical Research Network (CRN) for many years to support research across the East Midlands and is currently involved in extending this support to paediatric palliative care at a national level. In recognition of her contribution to research, Wendy received the NIHR Newcomer Impact Award in 2017. 

My previous experience prior to LOROS was working on paediatric oncology clinical trials where I was involved with all aspects of studies from project initiation through to publication.

I was fortunate that after 21 years in this area, there was clear evidence that research studies I worked on had made a real difference to patients. Such improvements can only be achieved through research programmes and just as there is a great need for research in the field of oncology there is likewise with hospice care. So following on from retirement last year, I have been a volunteer in the LOROS research department – one day a week -  where I provide support with LOROS research studies.

During this time I have found it particularly interesting to assist with the ‘Anxiety management in breathlessness’ study which explores the potential of an electronic device in treating anxiety in people who experience breathlessness, which will be opening to recruitment shortly.

I am honoured to be LOROS’ first PhD student and be supervised by the deputy head of research Dr Zoebia Islam. My research revolves around the mental health and mental health literacy of young adults from ethnically diverse communities who provide care for someone with a serious illness. My aim is to develop a resource or intervention and influence policy for carers.

Dr Zoebia Islam is an academic researcher and Medical Sociologist. She is currently the Research Lead for Social Equity, Impact and Strategy, where she leads the development of innovative research focused on addressing health inequalities and inequity in palliative and end of life care. In addition, she chairs and convenes the national SAWUBONA – Equity in Palliative Care for All Research Forum. 

At a national level, Zoebia also serves as the East Midlands Regional Community-Based Settings Lead for the Research Delivery Network. 

Before joining LOROS, Zoebia was the Heart of England Hub Manager for the Mental Health Research Network, supporting the delivery of mental health studies across the region. She has also contributed to a range of research programmes at the University of Warwick Medical School and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.