On Wednesday 3 December, the School of Health & Medical Sciences (SHMS) hosted its first Research Day on the Tooting campus.
By Lisa Jones (Press and Research Communications Manager), Published
This landmark event brought together researchers from across the newly merged School for the first time – uniting expertise from what was St George’s, University of London and City’s School of Health and Psychological Sciences.
It was a day of forming new connections, discussion and celebration of research excellence, showcasing the breadth and depth of research within SHMS.
A day of discovery
Opening the event, Professor Steve Gillard, SHMS Associate Dean for Research, set the tone by highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling today’s health challenges. He invited each research centre and institute to nominate projects that best represent their strengths, resulting in a dynamic programme of short presentations.
The morning session featured a diverse range of topics. Dr Angeliki Asimaki from the Cardiovascular and Genomics Research Institute explained how a simple cheek swab combined with AI could help prevent sudden cardiac death in children with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Dr Peter Campbell from the Centre for Applied Vision Research discussed patient-focused strategies to improve medication adherence in glaucoma, a condition often called the ‘silent stealer of sight’. Dr Lúcia Garrido from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience explored how we process facial information using experimental psychology and brain imaging, while Professor Katerina Hilari from the Centre for Language and Communication Science Research shared her work on improving staff communication to support stroke survivors with aphasia. Dr Charitini Stavropoulou from the Centre for Health and Care Innovation Research addressed the challenge of ‘pilotitis – the unnecessary repetition of pilot studies that hinders meaningful innovation. Dr Christian Reynolds from the Centre for Food Policy outlined research aimed at enhancing human and planetary health through policy and education, and Dr Rose Meades from the Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research presented work on better assessing anxiety during and after pregnancy.
The afternoon continued with equally compelling presentations. Professor Tihana Bicanic from the Institute for Infection and Immunity spoke about her team’s work on drivers of candida resistance, while Dr Glenn Nielsen from the Neuroscience and Cell Biology Research Institute discussed physiotherapy interventions for functional neurological disorder. Dr Maria Long and Dr Alexandra Bakou from the Centre for Mental Health Research shared their current studies to improve care for people attending A&E with self-harm or suicidal thoughts, and Dr Eva Galiza from the Vaccine Institute ended the showcase by providing an overview of their vaccine trials to tackle global infectious diseases and use of effective patient involvement.
Posters, prizes and recognition
Between sessions, the campus buzzed with activity as nearly 200 posters showcased research from staff and students across the – a testament to the School’s vibrant research culture. Highlights included the following award winners:
- Undergraduate Poster Prize: Kavisha Dissanayake – Exploring p16-derived peptides as a novel treatment for melanoma
- Postgraduate Poster Prize: Lorraine Ashley – Postnatal experiences of Black women/birthing people in the UK: A systematic review
- Chrissie Fenske Poster Prize: Sarah Sturrock – Causative organisms of early-onset neonatal sepsis in Uganda
Outstanding Researcher Awards celebrated excellence across categories:
- Outstanding Research Publication (2024–25): Dr Eve Nakabembe for a study looking at a pertussis vaccine in pregnant women with HIV.
- Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Scientist Award: Dr Rebecca Webb for her perinatal mental health research.
- Outstanding Research Achievement by a University Lecturer: Dr Isabelle Salles Crawley for her research into immunothrombosis.
- Outstanding Multi-disciplinary Research Team: The Migrant Health Group
- Excellence in Public/Civic Engagement or Involvement in Research: Dr Jessica Carter for leading the Health Catch-UP! tool designed with migrants, health care professionals, digital health specialists and public health experts.
The Research Image of the Year went to Dr Nicholas Behn for his illustration of collaborative rehabilitation for people with brain injury.
Thomas Young Lecture: Climate and health
The day concluded with the prestigious Thomas Young Lecture, delivered by Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS, Government Chief Scientific Adviser. Her talk, “Staying healthy in a warmer world: climate adaptation in the UK and beyond,” explored how rising global temperatures threaten healthcare systems. She shared examples of climate-driven pressures and emphasised the need to factor the impact of climate change into future planning for research and healthcare infrastructure, so that innovation and health systems can continue to thrive and do not become casualties of climate-related challenges.