51cg

Biography

I graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with a BA in Sociology and a Certificate in Gerontology studies from the Colleges of Worcester Consortium.  I then earned a Master of Public Health with a focus on chronic disease epidemiology from Yale University and a PhD in Health Behavior and Health Education from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After completing my PhD, I was awarded a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the Intramural Research Program at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which was jointly sponsored by the Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing in London.

I joined the 51cg in 2013 and sit within Academic Primary Care. I lead a programme of research that focuses on physical activity, arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions (including chronic pain), and aging research.

I am a champion for patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in research, and am academic lead for the School for Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition PPI.

In addition to other funded grants, I am a co-Investigator on the NIHR funded Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Aberdeen. This collaborative is led by  in partnership with ,  and . The HDRC’s overall aim is to develop a research active culture within Aberdeen City Council and Community Planning Aberdeen, directed toward understanding and addressing the factors that affect our health and wellbeing. We are keen to collaborate on research addressing the wider determinants of health and implement research findings in to policy and practice to address health inequalities. Please see:

My role also includes teaching on various courses and I am the programme lead for the on-campus Master of Public Health (Sept).

Prizes and Awards

Nominated, Principal's Excellence in Teaching Award - Best Postgraduate Taught Lecturer (2020)

Santander Mobility Award, Travel funds for collaborations with University of Massachusetts Medical School (2017)

Delegate, International Young Scotland Programme, Institute of Contemporary Scotland (2014)

Research Overview

I have long been interested in the complex interplay between the social, economic and environmental factors that contribute to individual- and population-level health outcomes, particularly among older adults and those with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. I am interested in the role that individual perceptions, social support, socioeconomic status, occupation, community resources, and the physical environment have on physical activity levels over the life course. In addition, my research focuses on the role physical activity plays in physical and mental health and well-being – from disease symptom management (e.g., pain and fatigue), to reducing disability for maintenance of physical functioning in later life, and how engagement in community activity programmes can reduce loneliness and social isolation.

Knowledge Exchange

2019, Café Med – 51cg. ‘Live Well With Arthritis’ (20th May)

2017, 2019, Talks to Aberdeen and District Fibromyalgia Support Group

2017, 2018, MayFestival activities linked to Walk With Ease UK

2017, Talk to BackStrong Trust (30th September)

2017, Epidemiology Group showcase at Open Doors Days

2017, Presentation to the Angus Arthritis Forum, ‘Why physical activity should be prescribed for every patient with arthritis – top tips for optimal arthritis management’ (7th June)

Funding and Grants

Active

Title: Partnership for Assessment and Investigation of Neuropathic Pain: Studies Tracking Outcomes, Risks and Mechanisms (PAINSTORM).
Funder and Grant No.: MRC/UKRI/Versus Arthritis – Advancing Pain Discovery Platform (APDP)
Period of Support: Jul 2021 to July 2026
Role: Co-Investigator (Bennett, CI)
Awarded: £3.6mil (KRM: £222,968)

Title: Looking After the Elderly During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus on Addressing Physical Activity, Loneliness and Help-Seeking Behaviour
Funder and Grant No.: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland – COV/ABN/20/08
Period of Support: May 2020 to Oct 2020
Role: Lead Investigator
Awarded: £48,500

Title: Lessening the Impact of Fatigue: Therapies for Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases (LIFT).
Funder and Grant No.: Arthritis Research UK, 21175
Period of Support: Aug 2016 to Oct 2021
Role: Co-Investigator (Basu, CI)
Awarded: £735,536.01

Title: PAtient-centred Care for FIbromyalgia: New pathway Design (PACFIND).
Funder and Grant No.: Versus Arthritis, 21958
Period of Support: Feb 2019 to Jan 2024
Role: Co-Investigator (Macfarlane, CI)
Awarded: £ 1,185,670.91

Completed

Title: A Feasibility Study for Walk with Ease UK - A Community-based Walking Programme for Adults with Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions (WWE UK)
Funder and Grant No.: Arthritis Research UK, 21414
Period of Support: March 2017 to Oct 2020
Role: Chief Investigator (CI)
Awarded: £149,518.60

Title: Fibromyalgia Optimal Management for Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis (FOMAxS)
Funder and Grant No.: Arthritis Research UK, 21378
Period of Support: June 2017 to May 2019
Role: Co Investigator (Macfarlane, CI)
Awarded: £184,561.20

Title: Health & Social Care among Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Scotland.
Funder: National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
Period of Support: Aug 2015 to Sept 2016
Role: CI
Awarded: £3000.00

Title: Maintaining Exercise Long-term: On Determining Influences on Chronic-Widespread Pain (MELODIC).
Funder and Grant No.: NHS Grampian Endowment Grant, RG11936
Period of Support: Aug 2014 to July2015.
Role: CI
Awarded: £9,709.00

Teaching Responsibilities

Course Coordinator for PU5030: Epidemiology

Co-Course Coordinator for PU5538: Epidemiology (online)