As a research associate, my role requires me to oversee all aspects of home-grown research and research governance within the Trust. My responsibilities include developing and delivering home-grown research and innovation projects. For this I provide guidance and support at all stages of a project, from protocol development, submitting regulatory applications, identifying funding sources, and the development and submission of grant applications. This role also includes:- Deliver research support and advice at all stages of a project - Submitting applications to the regulatory authorities - Identifying funding sources and submission of grant applications- Developed internal and external research relationships- Representing and promoting the Trust's research and innovation both internally and externally- Analyse and use data and evidence to make decisions that improve services

As the Senior Research & Innovation (R&I) Project Facilitator I am responsible for managing the Project Facilitator team while maintaining my portfolio of home-grown research projects. In this role, I am responsible for all aspects of developing and delivering homegrown research and innovation projects, evaluations, audits and quality improvement projects. For this I provide advice and support for all stages of a project from protocol development, submitting applications to the regulatory authorities, identifying funding sources and submission of grant applications.I work closely with the Trust’s medical and non-medical staff (for example Consultants, Nurses, Applied Health Professionals, Porters etc.) and external stakeholders (for example Commercial Companies, Academia, Research Design Services etc.), researching assigned projects (including internet-based research, reading any supplied materials, journal articles, study reports etc.) and drafting a range of documents from clinical study protocols, clinical study reports, funding applications, through to summary documents as well as articles. Promoting the Trust's research and innovation both internally and externally forms an essential part of the role and as Senior R&I Project Facilitator I am expected to support and participate in the relevant activities.As well as, maintaining my portfolio of a research projects I was also in charge of leading the homegrown research team. For this, I am the line manager for the Project Facilitator(s) in the homegrown research team for which I communicate job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results. I also coach, counsel, and discipline employees where required.

As the Research & Innovation (R&I) Project Facilitator I was responsible for all aspects of developing and delivering research and innovation projects, evaluations, audits and quality improvements projects. In this role I was primarily responsible for the ‘home-grown research, that is research projects that are not featured on the NIHR research portfolio. For this I provided advice and support for all stages of a project from protocol development, submitting applications to the regulatory authorities, identifying funding sources and submission of grant applications.I worked closely with the Trust’s medical and non-medical staff (for example Consultants, Nurses, Applied Health Professionals, Porters etc.) and external stakeholders (for example Commercial Companies, Academia, Research Design Services etc.), researching assigned projects (including internet-based research, reading any supplied materials, journal articles, study reports etc.) and drafting a range of documents from clinical study protocols, clinical study reports, funding applications, through to summary documents as well as articles.Representing and promoting the Trust's research and innovation both internally and externally forms an essential part of the role and as the R&I Project Facilitator, I was expected to support and participate in the relevant activities.During my time in this post, I overhauled the homegrown research processes in the trust. This involved a complete rewrite and redesign of the processes and documents, making them easier to understand and complete.

As part of the PhD programme, I am responsible for conducting academic research and assisting the teaching of students. Research: Conducting laboratory-based research and experimentation, maintaining up to date knowledge through reviewing of literature, recruiting participants, collecting, collating and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, applying for ethics approval, publishing research papers, liaising with participants, researchers and the senior management team, developing novel exercise programmes and supervising the implementation of exercise interventions. Teaching: Assisting in the delivery of various physiology modules across a variety of undergraduate programmes, including Sport and Exercise Science, Biomedical Science and Pharmacology. For this, I prepared and created teaching materials (including using the ‘Virtual Learning Environment – VLE’), prepared the laboratories for each session, oversaw laboratory classes, instructed students on equipment use, answered student queries, as well as teaching and providing one-to-one support for students. All learning materials were provided to the students via the University’s Moodle online learning platform, including videos of lectures, using Panopto.

As part of the lecturing team, I was responsible for planning, delivery and development of high-quality teaching and learning. This also included the development of curricula and preparation of course plans, learning materials, lecture activities and assessments. Also, I carried out the monitoring and assessment of students’ course work, project work and examinations. My role also included maintaining up-to-date and accurate records of student progress and achievement and acting as an assessor or ‘internal verifier’. Provide high quality academic, pastoral and personal support to students.

This role included: Delivering clinical health assessments according to Bupa’s high clinical standards, disseminating research data to improve a client’s lifestyle, with particular attention to nutritional and exercise information. Collecting, collating and analysing clinical data and providing patient feedback via written report and oral consultation. The test performed included duel arm blood pressure readings, resting and exercising electrocardiogram (ECG), body composition tests (BMI, BMR, body fat, muscle mass and hydration status), venepuncture blood draws, blood analysis (full blood count, lipid profile, HbA1c, haemoglobin levels and biochemistry analysis for liver function and gout), urine analysis (kidney function, urinary tract infection and diabetes), respiratory tests (FEV1 and FEV6, Obstructive Index and Lung Age), exercise stress testing (respiratory response, cardiovascular response, predicted VO2max, anaerobic threshold, power output and metabolic equivalent), lifestyle assessments (smoking, alcohol, sleep, mental health and stress, anxiety and depression), musculoskeletal tests, hearing and eyesight tests. This role also involved planning and writing client reports, effectively communicating with patients and physicians, maintaining knowledge and skills by monitoring research journals, attending conferences and continued professional development courses. This role also involved laboratory duties including the maintenance and calibration of biochemical and exercise testing laboratory equipment.

Involving: Laboratory preparation; maintenance, calibration and servicing of laboratory facilities and equipment, supporting the senior technician, maintaining an agreed booking system, observing Health and Safety regulations and ensuring that all working practices are carried out with full regard to the University’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

Investigating the efficacy of a pre-market nutritional supplement on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline; promoted to the position after a successful period of voluntary work within the study. Managing a team of researchers, recruitment of participants, verbally explaining research projects to potential and active research participants & gaining permissions for research contracts; liaising with participants, researchers and the senior management team. Also, collecting, collating and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, conducting saliva and venipuncture blood collection and performing a preliminary analysis of blood and saliva samples. Raising awareness of the study within the local community to help the recruitment of participants. Scheduling and facilitating appointments with participants and researchers. Supporting the study teams through administration and ensuring that trial-specific investigations are recorded accurately and according to the study protocol. Recording and maintaining all communication with participants on the study-specific database. Assisting the other members of the multi-disciplinary research team as required.

As a volunteer phlebotomist and research assistant reporting to the lead researcher of a study within the Sports Department of the University of Greenwich. I was responsible for performing venepuncture blood draws on participants, adhering to strict University protocols, as well as handling and analysing biological samples including blood and saliva. In analysing samples, I regularly use laboratory equipment including a centrifuge, haematology analyser and reflotron. I am also responsible for ensuring samples are stored and labelled accurately and disposed of correctly. In addition to this, I also maintained a high level of sanitation in the laboratory and testing facilities.