Professor Kamlesh Khunti, PhD MD FRCGP FRCP FMedSci
DirectorKamlesh Khunti is Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester. He is Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre (UK) and leads a research group that is currently working on the early identification of, and interventions with, people who have diabetes or are at increased risk of developing diabetes.
Donna Richardson
ARC East Midlands Assistant DirectorDonna’s background is in laboratory-based cancer research at the University of Leicester, where she did her PhD and, later, postdoctoral research into breast cancer.
Andrew Willis
Research AssociateDr Andrew Willis has experience of carrying out a variety of academic research projects aimed at assessing the effectiveness of community-based interventions aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Barbara Czyznikowska
Community Engagement OfficerBarbara’s proficiency resides mainly within the field of public involvement, community engagement and health equality. Her academic background is in Public Policy and Government, and she is particularly interested in policy-relevant research with emphasis on interventions relating to wellbeing and community cohesiveness.
Carol Akroyd
ARC Senior Programme ManagerCarol’s background is in operational management, project management, business intelligence, healthcare leadership including strategic and financial management within acute hospitals and primary care services.
Julian Harrison
Equality & Diversity ConsultantAfter working in academia and then in rugby league development and promotion, Julian Harrison has spent the last sixteen years of his life working in community engagement, development and in the specific areas of equality, diversity, community cohesion and human rights.
Leita Mistry
Administrator for the CentreWith extensive experience working in the financial sector and recently working with the Research Teams at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, I've gained a wealth of knowledge in providing exceptional customer service. I look forward to working with the Ethnic Research Centre and the Team.
Nasima Miah
Project Support AssistantA BSc honors graduate in public and community health studies, who has 10 years extensive experience of project management, delivery, planning and evaluation.
Sophie O’Connell
Operations ManagerSince completing her PhD in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health in 2012, Sophie has a wealth of experience in programme management, with expertise in the development and implementation of evidence-based public health initiatives in community and healthcare settings.
Sunny Rohit
Community Engagement OfficerSunny has almost 20 years of experience working in youth, community and sports development and management.
Dr Ffion Curtis
Research FellowFfion’s work has predominantly focused on the role of lifestyle in the prevention and management of chronic conditions. She has experience of working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders to include NHS, charity and community partners in the design, conduct and dissemination of research.
Dr Shabana Cassambai
Research AssociateShabana has a background in lab based cardiovascular pharmacology and physiology; with post-doctoral experience of translational research looking at dietary interventions to target cardiometabolic disease within healthy individuals.
Shavez Jeffers
Community Engagement OfficerShavez has experience with community development and public health work. Her academic background includes health psychology and social science research and she is currently doing a PhD on experiences of people who decline breast cancer screening and treatment at the University of Leicester.
Hena F. Ahsan
Community Engagement OfficerHena has experience of working in various Community Services including BME and faith organisations. Hena has a history of engaging with the community to find foster carers for refugees, has supported women who have gone through domestic violence and engaged with both very young children, teenagers, and adults to run community projects and campaigns around human rights, mental health, self-esteem as well as child safeguarding and protection.
Gurpreet Grewal Santini
Community Engagement OfficerGurpreet has worked mostly in the areas of communications, public relations, broadcasting, and community development. Her interests are combining textiles and different forms of arts to engage with communities and to use these resources for positive mental health and well-being.
Dr Suman Prinjha, PhD, MBACP
Senior Research AdvisorSuman is a qualitative researcher and a psychotherapist. Her research focuses on patients' experiences of illness and healthcare, and how these perspectives can be used to improve care, services, and medical education. Much of Suman's work focuses on the inclusion of ethnic minority groups in research, particularly South Asian communities, and the translation of research findings into accessible resources for patients, public and health professionals.