RDF25 Speakers

Dr. Beatriz Duran Jimenez is a Consultant Pharmacist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, UK, with extensive expertise in clinical trials and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Manchester and a Master’s in Haematology from the University of Salamanca, Spain. Dr. Duran has held numerous leadership roles within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, where she manages the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Service. A recognized leader in her field, she has contributed significantly to national guidelines, research publications, and educational initiatives in clinical trials and ATMPs.

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My name is Beatrice Namuwaya and I am a first year medical student at the University of Buckingham. I have been actively involved in the My Voice Matters project, with a focus on presenting research findings to young people and gathering their feedback to ensure that young people’s voices are integrated into the research process.  As a first-year medical student, this project has been an important opportunity for me to engage with both research and community outreach.

As the young people involved in the “My Voice Matters” mental health research planning event, we played an active role in organizing and shaping the event’s agenda, and then later presenting the event as hosts. We contributed to planning discussions, and worked with the wider team to ensure that the voice of young people would be represented throughout the event. We also hosted the full event, facilitated discussions throughout and shared insights and advocated for the importance of young people’s perspectives in mental health research, and engaged with attendees to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

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Ashgan is a PhD student in Health Psychology at the University of Manchester and a Research Assistant in Mental Health. With around four years of experience in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), she is passionate about addressing health inequalities and amplifying the voices of young people.

As the young people involved in the “My Voice Matters” mental health research planning event, we played an active role in organizing and shaping the event’s agenda, and then later presenting the event as hosts. We contributed to planning discussions, and worked with the wider team to ensure that the voice of young people would be represented throughout the event. We also hosted the full event, facilitated discussions throughout and shared insights and advocated for the importance of young people’s perspectives in mental health research, and engaged with attendees to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

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Angela Topping has been a member of the R&D Forum Executive since August 2021 and a Trustee of R&D Forum Charity since 2022. A Chartered Management Accountant by profession, she started her career in the NHS and moved to Newcastle University to become the Faculty Accountant in the Faculty of Medical Sciences in 1998. In 2002, she was promoted to Faculty Accountant, and in that time was responsible for not only the operational and strategic financial planning for the faculty, but also acted as the finance specialist in major capital developments including new programmes, investment in equipment and estate research infrastructure and the development and early operations of the Newcastle University campus in Malaysia. Angela took on a secondment opportunity in January 2018 as Head of Newcastle Joint Research Office (NJRO) and was appointed substantive in that role in September 2018 until August 2024. In that time, the NJRO has developed a culture of shared purpose, underpinned by foundations of trust, psychological safety, equality, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing. Angela completed an MSc in Coaching and Mentoring in September 2023, is a coach and mentor a listening volunteer for Samaritans, a Mental Health First Aider, Q Member and active in the local and national discussions around research culture.

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Andrew Perugia is Project Manager at Noclor NHS Research Office. Coming from an NHS background, his career in research started a decade ago with coordinating studies in the primary care setting, supporting the local set up and delivery of studies across a wide range of specialties including several cancer screening trails, cardiovascular treatments, respiratory health, and mental health and neurological interventions. Andrew sits on several national groups supporting the R&D forum and the NIHR Primary Care Strategy and has championed the benefits of research in non-acute settings. Andrew works with clinical leaders and research directors to lead the project delivery of a broad range of initiatives focused on embedding research across Noclor’s partner trusts and collaborating organisations. He is leading the implementation of the North London Mental Health Partnership, a joint five-year research strategy with University College London.

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Amanda Lee has a longstanding connection with St Oswald’s Hospice, where she became Head of Strategy and Research Development in January 2024. Her involvement began in 2020 as a volunteer, later serving as Research Centre Manager. Previously, Amanda was Chief Operating Officer at the Clinical Research Network Yorkshire and Humber, building partnerships with NHS trusts, CCGs, and GP practices across the region.

She also founded the Newcastle Joint Research Office, supporting research at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University. Amanda specialises in external partnerships, developing collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and GSK. She has also consulted for the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Independent Hospices. Her work focuses on fostering strategic research partnerships to enhance research-driven care for hospice patients and their families.

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