Meet the team

Wendy Andrusjak
I am a Research Programme Manager. I focus on developing research skills in all our staff at LYPFT and raising awareness of the importance of embedding research in clinical practice. I have a PhD in Dementia and Sensory Loss and am interested in developing research to improve the future of mental health care.

I have lived in New Zealand and Australia and travelled the world far and wide, which led me to meet my husband who was originally just a stranger I sat next to on a plane when travelling solo to China.

Sinead Audsley
Despite my background in languages, I have worked in health research roles since 2003, including a 2-year role in research ethics before joining LYPFT. I’m responsible for managing approvals for any research happening in the Trust and also support the set-up of student and locally led studies. I also oversee the service user and carer HEER involvement group.

Outside of work I’m interested in walking, gardening and socialising as well as travelling.

 

Sharon Bird
Sharon has been with the Trust since 2015, supporting the COMIC team with administrative tasks and maintaining the smooth day to day running of the office.

In her spare time she likes Cross-Stitching and crafting.

Zara Brining
I joined the department as the Research Administrator and PA to the Head of Department in 2015. I have worked in administration for many years briefly broken by completing a Business Studies degree. I provide the team with administrative support and manage the administration for several meetings in the department.

Outside of work I spend time with my family.

 

Sarah Cooper
I am Head of Research at LYPFT, have a PhD in Clinical Nutrition as well as a Masters in human nutrition. I am passionate about ensuring we give as many opportunities as possible to service users to take part in research. Out of work, most of my time is spent transporting my children around but I also enjoy running and yoga.

 

 

Dr Clare Fenton
I hold a Masters in Psychiatry from the University of Leeds, and I’m a practicing Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. My research interests are preventing and treating self-harming behaviours and eating disorders.

 

 

Megan Garside
I’m a Research Fellow, focusing on coordinating the research funding applications in the team. My main area of research interest is social prescribing for children and young people. I’m currently a PhD student at Sheffield Hallam University, exploring how social prescribing can be used to support young people accessing weight management services. In my spare time I’m a member of a local cheerleading team, and regularly compete with them at national competitions

Lisa Hackney
I joined the team as a Research Assistant in 2011 originally to work on systematic reviews into childhood attachment difficulties and school-based autism interventions. I’ve been a Clinical Studies Officer since 2013 and my work now focuses on adult mental health and dementia research, but I remain interested in research across the lifecycle and enjoyed delivering an attachment programme to foster carers following the systematic reviews. My health psychology masters focused on the relationship between mental and physical health, and I enjoy working on studies that promote this.

Outside of work, I like to spend time in the woods with my family, giving as much time as I can to my woodland allotment plot.

Anna Harrold
I am a Research Assistant within the Leeds team bringing experience of working with service users in various NHS and third sector settings. I have a Masters in the Psychology of Child Development and Education, with a strong interest in and passion for developmental psychology and the mental health and wellbeing of children and families. My free time is mostly filled being a mum to two young boys, however I am also a member of a local running club, taking part in races and events throughout the year when I get the time!

Rachel Heap
I am a Research Assistant within the Leeds Research and Development Team. I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters in Psychological Approaches to Health. I am interested in most areas of mental health, but I especially enjoy forming close relationships with service users and bringing their experiences to the forefront so mental health care can be improved for all. I am an avid painter, enjoy long walks followed by eating cake in coffee shops and Formula 1!

 

Lavender Heung
I’m a Research and Social Media Communications Officer in the Leeds R&D team, with a background in Journalism. I’m mainly involved in the UPLIFT project, where I support research, manage social media, and create content around mental health. I also have a passion for working with children and young people with special educational needs, especially in the area of speech and language. I’m originally from Hong Kong and have always loved exploring—whether that’s through travelling or climbing new routes at the bouldering gym in my spare time!

Dr Zoe Jackson
I’m a Research Programme Manager, I have a PhD in Molecular Virology but moved into mental health research after having my children. I am interested in patient and public engagement, ensuring those with lived experience have their voices heard in the research projects. I’m also interested in big data projects and collaborative working between academia and the NHS.

In my spare time I love knitting and crocheting.

Stevie John
I am a Reseach Practitioner working for Aspire on the Early Intervention Mission. My background includes a biomedical science degree and physician associate masters as well as experience working clinically in a range of healthcare settings. I’m passionate about developing a person-centered approach through meaningful and collaborative interactions with people under the Aspire service.

Out of work I enjoy running and engaging in community events at Rainbow Junktion.

Dr Emma Kampouraki
I am a Research Programme Manager. I support both the MESH programme for student mental health nurses, and also staff at LYPFT in developing their research skills, whilst Wendy is on maternity leave.

I am a Pharmacist by background, a passionate researcher and a strong advocate of research within the NHS as part of every job role. I believe research is the biggest drive of change and improvement of care for our service users.

I am Greek and I love travelling with my family (both to Greece and around the world), cooking (as you’d expect from a real Greek) and any form of exercise, particularly reformer pilates.

Molly Kelly
I am a Research Assistant within the Leeds team, i have a degree in Psychology and a background in physical health research. I have a passion for dementia research and strive to contribute to the development of this, I am particularly interested in drug trials. Outside of work I love to travel, spend time with my dog and socialising with my friends and family.

Ellen Kingsley
I’m a Research Fellow and Trial Coordinator . My main area of research interest is developmental trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in children and young people. I am passionate about qualitative and participatory methods, which put people with lived experience at the centre of research. My other research interests include self-harm, eating disorders, and attachment disorders.

I am from Sheffield but grew up in Florida, USA. I love hiking, bouldering, and hanging out with my dog, Monty.

Holly Livesley
I am a Research Assistant within the Leeds team, bringing 14 years of experience with Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, including 11 years within the research team. I have a degree in Psychology and I am a qualified counsellor. I am passionate about research that investigates how individuals interpret and find meaning in their experiences. I am dedicated to research addressing social justice and health inequalities.

Outside of work, I enjoy being creative and am currently exploring drawing and watercolours.

Alice Locker
I am a Clinical Studies Officer in the Leeds team and have done this role for 13 years. Before this, I worked as an Occupational Psychologist in various consultancy firms.

I enjoy working on the large variety of research projects we run at any one time, including drug trials as well as observational studies, and everything in between! Being able to offer these opportunities to our service users and working with individuals directly is also something I particularly enjoy.

Outside of work, I am a huge football fan. I also like cooking (and eating!) and socialising with friends.

Annalisa McGorlick
In my role as a Research Assistant, I enjoy meeting with a variety of service users to improve treatment and support across different areas. I have worked in research for the last 8 years, in both academic and clinical settings. I also bring experience from psychology, counselling and mental health charity settings. Having a long-term health condition myself, my main motivation is to try and improve the lives of others. I am proud to be of mixed European heritage and appreciate the importance of cultural differences.

Crystal-Bella Romain-Hooper
I joined the team as a research assistant within the team, now working as Research Programme Manager. I have worked in R&D for over 10 years and am particularly passionate about promoting and creating a diverse portfolio of research opportunities for our service users. My responsibilities include building the portfolio, assessing study feasibility and managing team resources to ensure the effective delivery of NIHR and commercial research within our organisation.

My spare time is mostly spent juggling bringing up my two young children while trying to keep my hand in with my own hobby of horse riding.

Dr Sophie Schumann
I’m a Research Fellow with focus on writing research grants for the team. I enjoy developing new ideas into innovative research projects and am especially excited about bringing together researchers, clinicians and those with lived experience. I have experience in data analysis and project management from my previous work at the University of Leeds. I’m a keen gardener and enjoy being active outdoors.

Fun Fact: I used to play American Football in the German National Women’s League.

Beccy Smith
I am a Clinical Studies Officer based in Leeds. I have a Masters by Research in childhood obesity and weight stigma, and my background is in clinical nutrition. I am particularly interested in the overlap between mental and physical health and enjoy supporting trials involving new drugs and therapies. Outside of work I love being active, getting out in nature, and spending time with my dog.

 

Lauren Stanton
I am a Research Assistant in the COMIC Team. My areas of research interest include eating disorders, child development, trauma, mental health and wellbeing. I am passionate about empowering the voices of those with lived experience through research projects.

In my spare time I love to travel and explore new countries as well as keeping active and spending time with my family pet poodle, Theo.

Susannah Strong
I’m LYPFT’s Patient Research Ambassador. I chair the HEER (Help from Experts by Experience) group meetings, supporting researchers to involve people with lived experience in their work, and ensuring their voices are heard across all aspects of mental health research.

I started my career as a health journalist campaigning to reduce stigma around mental health. In 2011, I was commissioned by the Footballers’ Association to write The Footballers’ Guide to Mental Health, when it became known that many players were struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

From 2022, I was Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead at NHS Digital. I chaired a co-development panel, a diverse group of people with lived experience who worked to improve communication and representation in clinical trials.

Together, we co-produced a range of communication materials, including two animations that explain clinical trials in simple, visual terms to encourage people to take part in research.

Amelia Taylor
I’m a Research Assistant interested in Social Prescribing, Co-production methods, social media and mental health, and gender identity.

I also love to travel and explore new countries. I spent two years living in Australia where I was lucky enough to work at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, cuddle a Koala Bear and do a skydive at 15000 feet.

Jamie Telford
I am the Patient and Public Engagement Ambassador for the COMIC team, conducting our Young Person’s Advisory Network (YPAN) that aids our research by informing topics from a young person’s lived experience. I have a Masters in the Psychology of Child and Adolescent development with 5 years’ experience as a research assistant in both academic and clinical settings. My main areas of research interest are attachment, language development, and participatory research methods. I am a strong advocate for children and young people to use their voice to enact change often through research studies using co-production methodologies.

I grew up in the Lake District so naturally I’m an avid hiker, you’ll often find me up a fell no matter the weather! I also enjoy trail running and reading in my spare time.

Agnes Wood
I’m a research assistant. My main area of research interest is child development, eating disorders and anxiety disorders. I am passionate about raising the voices of children and young people in both clinical and community settings by using co-production and user led methodologies.

I love to play rugby and spend my time going on long walks in the Peak District.

Abimbola Wilson
You can call me Abi! I am a Clinical Studies Officer, and I hold a postgraduate degree in Health Research from the University of Leeds. I am from Nigeria but spent a big part of my adult life in County Louth, Republic of Ireland.

I am passionate about projects and initiatives that promote fair, equitable and inclusive health care research and practices for all, irrespective of people’s background or who they are. I’m interested in exploring diverse research, including observational studies and drug trials, with a particular focus on understanding the complex interplay between various aspects of human health and the broader social determinants that influence overall health and well-being.

Beyond work, I enjoy exploring different spices and discovering their unique flavors—an interest that blends curiosity with culture.