UNIVERSITY OF LONDON - Key Persons

Executive Officer
Associate Director of Research Operations ( Administration ) Research Operations / Research Institutes and Core Facilities - Administrative & Technical Support
Head of Strategic Research Development ( Research Operations )

Dr Anna Dulic-Sills - COO

Job Titles:

Chief Operating Officer
Director of Research Operations
Member of the Association of Heads of University Administration
Member of the Senior Leadership Team

The University's most senior administrator; providing strategic leadership to professional services. As Chief Operating Officer (Interim), Anna is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and has responsibility for the vast majority of St George's Professional and Technical Services. Anna supports the Vice-Chancellor in determining the institutional strategy, ensures that the University is well-organised and operates as efficiently as possible, mitigating risks and seizing opportunities to drive progress. She is also the executive lead across a number of areas of the University, including strategic planning and risk, audit and efficiency. Anna's professional journey began as a research scientist specialising in DNA repair, where she earned her PhD under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Tomas Lindahl. Anna went on to do clinical science/postdoctoral work at Bats and the London NHS Trust. She later changed her career path into research management and administration, and held a number of leadership roles at Queen Mary, University of London. Anna joined St George's as a Director of Research Operations in 2019. Anna is a member of the Association of Heads of University Administration and serves as a panel member for Advance HE Athena Swan initiative. In addition to her contributions within the academic sphere, she was also involved in a local primary school as an elected member of the Board of Governors, serving as a Vice-Chair of the Facilities and Curriculum Committees; and a co-director of a Community Interest Company.

Dr Ariel Poliandri

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Acting Director of Research Operations

Dr Atticus Hainsworth

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Chairman, Scholarly Communications Working Group

Dr Baba Sheba

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Director of Digital Education

Dr Carwyn Hooper

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Head of Graduate School

Dr Colin Sandiford

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Health and Environment Adviser, Estates and Facilities ( Alternate )

Dr Craig Wheway

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Research Strategy and Development Manager ( Joint Research and Enterprise Services, JRES )

Dr Cristina Loader

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Chadburn Lecturer

Dr Daniel Forton

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Associate Medical Director ( Research ), SGHFT

Dr Daniel Osborn

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Representative
Senior Lecturer

Dr Danni Kirwan

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Honorary Research Fellow and Former MRC Clinical Research Training Fellow

Dr Debs Chong

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Lecturer in Infection & Immunity

Dr Henry Staines

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Lecturer in Lecturer Representative

Dr Jane Cronin Davis

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Associate Professor

Dr Jane Cronin-Davies

Dr Jeremy Issacs

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Clinical Academic Group Director, Neurosciences

Dr Julie Leeming

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Director of Planning

Dr Leeming provides advice on policy initiatives, rankings and performance. Julie joined St George's planning team in September 2012 and was appointed to the role of Director of Planning in September 2016. She provides advice to the university leadership on policy initiatives, rankings and performance.

Dr Keira Skowlimowska

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Wellcome Trust Clinical Tropical Training Fellow

Dr Penelope Lympany

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Head of Laboratory Services

Dr Silvia Martin Almedina

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Postdoctoral Scientist Representative

Dr Tihana Bicanic

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Clinical Academic Group Director, Infection and Immunity

Dr Vanessa Ho

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Associate Dean for Inclusion, Culture and Development

Gabriel Chin

gc..@sgul.ac.uk

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Personal Assistant

Gwenan Knight

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Associate Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Ioana Enany

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Head of Student Conduct

Jane Saffell

js..@sgul.ac.uk

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Deputy Vice - Chancellor

Jane Saffell is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) at St George's, University of London and Professor of Neurobiology and Bioscience Education. She leads a broad education portfolio with responsibility for strategic development across teaching and learning, student experience, portfolio growth, access & participation and student outcomes. She is a member of the OfS TRAC Development Group, was awarded a National Teaching Fellow by Advance HE in 2015 and was for many years a member of BBSRC Grant Committee D (Molecules, Cells and Industrial Biotechnology). Jane joined St George's in 2016 after 16 years as an academic at Imperial College London in the Faculties of both Natural Sciences and Medicine. Her career spans research into the role of adhesive interactions in nervous system regeneration, teaching innovation, and senior leadership of education. She was Deputy Head of the Division of Brain Sciences and led the Department of Medicine to Bronze and then Silver Athena awards. PhD and postdoctoral research at Guy's Hospital (King's College London) followed a BSc in Biochemistry at Imperial. Jane grew up in Kenya and was the first person in her family to go to university. On arriving in the UK she worked in administration at the Royal Society of Arts for three years to gain home student status and is now a Fellow. Jane has received teaching awards and medals for innovative approaches that give students insight into knowledge-creation and the socio-politics, creativity and culture of research.

Jenay Thomas

jt..@sgul.ac.uk

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Divisional Administrator

Jenny Higham

pr..@sgul.ac.uk

Job Titles:

Executive Assistant
Principal
Professor

Professor Jenny Higham joined St George's as Principal in November 2015 and is now the Vice-Chancellor. She is responsible for directing all activities and developments at the university. Professor Higham led the creation of St George's Strategic Vision 2030, which identifies the values and strengths that make St George's a distinctive community and sets out how we will sustain our excellence and impact in education and research. She was the first female Chair of the Medical Schools Council, the representative body for UK medical schools. She has been actively involved in academic policy and delivery for a number of years, both in the UK and internationally. Alongside her role as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Higham continues clinical practice as a consultant gynaecologist which influenced her research interests in reproductive medicine and medical education innovation. Professor Higham has held a number of leadership roles in academia, is a consultant gynaecologist and has research interests in reproductive medicine and medical education. She is also the first female Chair of the Medical School Council, the representative body for UK medical schools, where she has been actively involved in academic medical policy for a number of years. In May 2018 Professor Higham was awarded fellowship (FRCP) of the Royal College of Physicians for distinguishing herself in the practice of medicine. Professor Higham was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Education Born in Warrington, Lancashire, Professor Higham also spent time during her childhood in Gloucestershire and Norfolk. She went to Thorpe Grammar School in Norwich. She was the first generation in her family to attend university, graduating as a doctor from University College London with distinction in 1985. She received the Atchison Scholarship, an annual award presented to the student who has demonstrated the best work and greatest proficiency of their medical cohort. Professor Higham worked towards a research higher degree, investigating the clinical association and treatment of menorrhagia (heavy periods), awarded by the University of London in 1992. She has remained research active from this time. Professor Jenny Higham joined St George's in November 2015, becoming the first female Principal and first-ever Vice-Chancellor, and is responsible for directing all activities and developments at the university. Professor Higham led the creation of the new St George's Strategic Vision 2030, which identifies the values and strengths that make St George's a distinctive community and sets out how we will sustain our excellence and impact in education and research. Having led the internal transformation of the university and raised the external profile, she is now leading on behalf of the institution in merger talks.

Jo Eggleton

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Research Institute Manager, Molecular & Clinical Sciences

Jodi Lindsay

jl..@sgul.ac.uk

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Director of Cross Cutting Research Themes and Deputy to the Deputy
Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis

Jodi Lindsay is Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis and specializes in the evolution of bacterial populations, horizontal gene transfer and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Her particular focus is on Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, important pathogens of humans and animals. Jodi is currently Deputy to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Enterprise), Director of Cross-Cutting Research Themes and Academic Lead for REF2021 at SGUL. Jodi began her career with a PhD from the University of Western Australia, followed by post-docs at New York University Medical Center and the University of Sheffield. She joined St George's in 1998, was tenured in 2005, promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2006, Reader in 2009 and Professor in 2012. Jodi is a microbiologist and geneticist who collaborates widely with bioinformaticians, chemists, mathematical modellers, clinical microbiologists and infectious disease physicians, veterinarians and public health experts. Fundamental biology is translated to epidemiology, diagnostics, stewardship, infection control, public health and veterinary practice. Jodi has previously Chaired the ESCMID study group on Staphylococci (ESGS), Chaired the Publishing Committee and been Council Member of the Microbiology Society, and sat on the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations Steering Committee. Previously, she co-chaired the Gordon Research Conference on Staphylococci, sat on the BBSRC Biosciences for Health advisory committee, and has sat on various grant funding committees for DFG, JPI-AMR, EU FP7/Horizon2020 and NIH. She is an Editor of X-AMR, and previously was Reviews Editor and an Editor of Microbiology, and an Editor of BMC Infectious Diseases, each for 10 years. At SGUL, Jodi is the Director of Cross Cutting Research Themes and Deputy to the Deputy Principal (Research and Enterprise). She is the Academic Lead for REF2021. She also chairs the Research Publishing and Data Management Steering group, the HR Research Excellence group, and sits on the Athena Swan committee.

Jude O'Brien

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Student Finance

Julian Ma

jm..@sgul.ac.uk

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Immunity / Professor
Professor of Molecular Immunology

Julian Ma joined St. George's in October 2003, leading a research team that specialises in immunology and the production of recombinant pharmaceuticals using plant biotechnology (molecular pharming). His research is particularly focused on using biotechnology tools to produce novel pharmaceutical proteins to improve global access to modern medicines. Director of the Institute of Infection and Immunity Professor Julian Ma Email: jma@sgul.ac.uk Phone: 0208 725 5818 Research Institute Manager: Nia Watkins Email: nwatkins@sgul.ac.uk

June Phillips

ju..@sgul.ac.uk

Job Titles:

Executive Assistant
Executive Officer / Executive Officer ( Vice - Chancellor 's Office )

June provides support to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, along with general office management of some of the professional services directorates, and has day-to-day responsibility for the smooth running of the Vice-Chancellor's Office. As Chief Operating Officer (Interim), Anna is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and has responsibility for the vast majority of St George's Professional and Technical Services. Anna supports the Vice-Chancellor in determining the institutional strategy, ensures that the University is well-organised and operates as efficiently as possible, mitigating risks and seizing opportunities to drive progress. She is also the executive lead across a number of areas of the University, including strategic planning and risk, audit and efficiency. Anna's professional journey began as a research scientist specialising in DNA repair, where she earned her PhD under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Tomas Lindahl. Anna went on to do clinical science/postdoctoral work at Bats and the London NHS Trust. She later changed her career path into research management and administration, and held a number of leadership roles at Queen Mary, University of London. Anna joined St George's as a Director of Research Operations in 2019. Anna is a member of the Association of Heads of University Administration and serves as a panel member for Advance HE Athena Swan initiative. In addition to her contributions within the academic sphere, she was also involved in a local primary school as an elected member of the Board of Governors, serving as a Vice-Chair of the Facilities and Curriculum Committees; and a co-director of a Community Interest Company. She was the first female Chair of the Medical Schools Council, the representative body for UK medical schools. She has been actively involved in academic policy and delivery for many years in the UK and internationally. She is on the university sector boards of UUK (Universities UK), also acting as the Policy Lead for Funding, and UCEA (Universities and Colleges Employers Association). Alongside her role as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Higham continues clinical practice as a consultant gynaecologist.

Karen Stewart

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Research Finance Manager ( Alternate )

Louise Phillips

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Head of Research Funding, JRES

Luz Toribio

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Student

Melanie Monteiro

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Research Institute Manager, Infection & Immunity

Miss Susan McPheat - CFO

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Director of Finance
Director of Finance ( Alternate )

Susan McPheat is Director of Finance and responsible for all finance activity at St George's, which ranges from collecting student fees and paying invoices and expenses, to monthly and annual financial reporting and returns to Office for Students. Susan is also responsible for payroll and the Planning team report into her.

Mr Derek Baldwinson

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Director of Quality and Partnerships

Mr Graham Schofield

Mr Kevin Browne

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Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Mr Mark Cranmer

mc..@sgul.ac.uk

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Director of Joint Research and Enterprise Services

Mr Naz Hussain

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Deputy Chief Operating Officer

As Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Naz supports the strategic leadership and direction in delegated areas. He takes the lead in, and oversee all relevant tasks and initiatives for Communications and Engagement, Education Operations, Marketing, Student Recruitment and Admissions and Registry. Naz started his career in marketing and communications, working in a variety of roles in local government and higher education. He was Head of Marketing at London South Bank University, before joining St George's as Associate Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment, then becoming Director of Marketing, Student Recruitment, and Admissions.

Mr Rob Churm

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Director of Information Services

Responsible for all IT and Library Services & Senior Information Risk Owner

Ms Jennifer Laws

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Academic Registrar

Ms Noreen Kassem

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Director of Education Operations and Programme Management

Ms Rachel Wheeley

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Director of Communications and Engagement

Nia Watkins

nw..@sgul.ac.uk

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Research Institute Manager

Paul Ratcliffe - COO

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Chief Operating Officer

Prof Jon Friedland

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Non - Executive Member of the Board of the UK Health Security Agency
Research and Enterprise Update to All Academic Staff

Jonathan Friedland works to develop and enhance the university strategy of pursuing excellent and ambitious research, both responding to major and emerging healthcare challenges and delivering significant societal impact. In addition, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor helps foster a culture of enterprise and innovation involving diverse partners, including St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Jon Friedland is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) at St George's, University of London having been Hammersmith Campus Director and Head of Infectious Diseases and Immunity at Imperial College London. His major research interests are in development of host mediated therapies targeting innate immune responses in tuberculosis and in migrant health. He has published over 250 peer reviewed papers, invited editorials and reviews, and edited 3 books. Jon Friedland was awarded the Royal College of Physicians Weber-Parkes Prize Medal for research in tuberculosis in 2005. He was elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2008. He was elected President of the British Infection Society (2007-09). He was made Fellow of the Royal College of Physician of Ireland (FRCPI) in 2010. In 2017, he was awarded an inaugural Fellowship of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and in 2020, was elected to serve on the Society Executive Committee where he is Scientific Affairs Officer. In 2022, Jon Friedland was appointed as a non-executive member of the Board of the UK Health Security Agency where he chairs the UK HSA Science & Research Committee and serves on the UK HSA Audit & Risk Committee having been a member of the People & Culture Committee. In 2022, he stepped down as Vice-Chair on the Commission for Human Medicines (appointed Commissioner 2014) and Chair of the MHRA Expert Advisory Group on Infection. He was also Chair of the Commission of Human Medicines Expert Working Group on Covid-19 Therapeutics throughout the pandemic (2020 - 23). He has previously served on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (2005-13) where he was Chair of the Pneumococcal Vaccine Subgroup. He was also a member of The Chief Medical Officers National Expert Panel on New and Emerging Infections (2007-12). He has served on many grants committees including for the Medical Research Council (UK) and The Wellcome Trust. Jon Friedland's research interests are currently in 2 major areas: 1) The innate inflammatory immune response to tuberculosis (TB). There is a particular focus on the enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases) driving tissue destruction in pulmonary and central nervous system tuberculosis. This research was initiated over twenty years ago and current areas of particular focus are: developing host-directed therapies for TB the influence of patho-physiological changes (such as acidosis and hypoxia) on innate immune responses in TB the role of platelets in innate immune, inflammatory responses in TB interactions between metabolism and immunity prevention of long-term fibrosis in tuberculosis how parasitic infection modulates innate immunity in TB 2) Migration and infection. My current interests in migrant health are: active and latent tuberculosis in migrants barriers to health care for migrants neglected tropical diseases in migrants the physical determinants of mental health of migrants Jonathan Friedland works to develop and enhance the university strategy of pursuing excellent and ambitious research, both responding to major and emerging healthcare challenges and delivering significant societal impact. In addition, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor helps foster a culture of enterprise involving diverse partners, including St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Rachel Allen

ra..@sgul.ac.uk

Job Titles:

Director of the Institute of Medical
Member of the MS Society Research Strategy Committee
Professor

Professor Allen is the Director of the Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education for the University and Capacity Building Lead for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South London. Professor Allen joined St George's in 2007 to specialise in the field of innate immune receptors and their ability to amplify or inhibit immune activity in disease. Prior to this, she obtained her D.Phil in Immunology from the University of Oxford, studying HLA B27 - a protein which predisposes some people to inflammatory arthritis. This work led to a post-doctoral position in Cambridge University, where she was subsequently awarded a Beit Memorial Fellowship to study the recognition of HLA B27 by innate immune receptors. Professor Allen is a member of the MS Society Research Strategy Committee, The MRC London Intercollegiate Doctoral Training Partnership Board and the UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership Stakeholder Group. Professor Allen has a long-standing research interest in the disease associations of MHC class I proteins. These are highly variable components of the immune system. The presence of different MHC-I variants is known to correlate with varying disease outcomes in autoimmunity and following infection, particularly with HIV. Her main research focus is on innate immune receptors and how these proteins might influence disease outcomes.