Sohail A. Email & Phone Number

As the Health Innovation Partnership (HIP) Facilitator, I am dedicated to driving research, innovation, and fostering relationships between the University of Reading and the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT). While HIP sponsors and supports a diverse array of projects, my daily focus is on research facilitation, management, and monitoring. I guide projects from protocol development through to study completion, handling IRAS submissions, local approvals, and ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies. I actively analyse project impacts and gather feedback to continuously improve processes, ensuring our strategies remain effective and adaptive.In addition to fostering a vibrant research culture, I contribute to developing educational workstreams and engage in effective communication efforts, promoting the strengths of both institutions. I sit on and answer to a joint academic/Trust board that consists of directors, deans, and executives from across the two organisations in health education, research, and strategic partnerships. A significant part of my role involves developing collaborative frameworks, engaging with stakeholders, and implementing efficient processes. This includes aligning approval procedures, streamlining onboarding for academic staff and students, integrating grant applications, and promoting research outputs for assessment and recognition. I also develop and work on key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the success and impact of our initiatives, which will feed into local driver metrics.With almost a decade of NHS experience and several years working with academia, I excelled as a Research Governance Coordinator at RBFT, ensuring regulatory compliance and streamlining project setups. My scientific background as a Genetic Technologist facilitated my transition into R&D, leading a translational project focused on Ataxia. I hold an MSc in Genomic Medicine (with distinction) from King's College London and St. George's University of London, along with ICH GCP certification. I actively participate in industry, CRN, executive, communications, and HRA REC meetings, dedicated to operational management in clinical innovation and enhancing patient healthcare outcomes. My experience in research governance, project facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and driving innovation excellence aligns with roles focused on improving project performance, developing policies, and leading initiatives to ensure quality and impact in research-intensive institutions.