My research is focused on improving the treatment, management, and outcomes for patients with cardiac conditions and their informal carers. My recent work has encompassed cardiovascular disease and student nurse populations. The thread connecting my recent research is incorporating PPI to effectively co-design, evaluate, and implement interventions to improve patient and carer-related outcomes. 

Current Areas of Focus: 

Coronary Artery Disease

Pilot testing a co-designed intervention (CABIN) to provide psychoeducational support to patients post-STEMI, with an objective of working towards large-scale implementation in routine clinical practice. 

Heart Failure

1) Scaling and implementation testing of an intervention (HELP) to support carers of patients with heart failure.

2) Exploring the prevalence of cardiac cachexia (wasting syndrome) in patients with heart failure, and generating disease-specific diagnostic criteria. 

Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

1) Promoting effective primary and secondary prevention via healthy lifestyle changes / maintainace, including the use of digital interventions to promote positive behavioural change.

2) Identifying and implementing methods of improving uptake and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation. 

3) Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of exercise-induced health improvements.

Maternal Populations

Ascertaining the prevlance of cardiovascular disease risk in pregnancy, along with the development of interventions to reduce cardiac risk and improve outcomes in pregnant women.

Student Nurses

Co-designing and evaluating an educational intervention (ASMOSUS) to improve cardiovascular disease risk assessment and healthy lifestyle promotion. 

Evidence Synthesis

I have published a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate interventions for cardiac populations. I have an interest in further applying evidence synthesis methodology in this area. 

Study Methodologies

I have managed and co-managed, from conception to completion, a number of study designs in clinical and non-clinical populations: pilot / feasibility, quasi-experimental, cohort, randomised controlled, cross-sectional, mixed methods, implementation science, and process evaluation. I have significant experience working with multi-disciplinary teams (academics, healthcare professionals, and PPI members) across all stages of research projects. 

Undergraduate Teaching: 

I am involved with the design, planning, and delivery of teaching and assessments across NFM1122 - Essential Life Sciences and Foundations of Pharmacology and NFM1121 - Evidence-Based Nursing in Year 1 of Nursing. 

Postgraduate Teaching:

I host weekly research mastercalsses / seminars for cardiac PhD students and staff in the School of Nursing and Midwifery to deliver research training and support. 

Student Supervision: 

I am an assistant supervisor for an international PhD student in the School of Nursing and Midwifery within the research theme of Chronic Illness & Palliative care.   

Current and Recent Research Projects:

Citizenship: 

Chair of the Cardiac Research Group - I lead the organisation and facilitation of PPI input and shared learning across cardiac research projects conducted at the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

In conjuction with staff and PPI members from the Cardiac Research Group, I lead the acquisition of funding, planning, and delivery of an annual 'Heart Health' confernence at QUB, which highlights our current, state-of-the-art research and future innovation in cardiac care. Delegates include academics, healthcare professionals, patients, public, and students.  

Peer Review

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

BMJ Open

Swiss National Science Foundation

Open Heart

Journal of Sports Sciences

Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation