Meet our trainees and fellows

Dr James Price, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Infection, BSMS

Dr James Price graduated in Medicine from St. George’s Hospital Medical School, London, in 2005. James was awarded a Walport NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship during which he completed his PhD focusing on whole-genome sequencing to inform nosocomial S. aureus infection. In 2014 James was appointed as a NIHR Clinical Lecturer where he continued to develop his research in prevention of healthcare-associated infection and antimicrobial resistance. In 2019, James took up a position as Infection Consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and progressed to Director of Infection Prevention and Control.  Alongside this he worked as Honorary Senior Lecturer at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance at Imperial College London. In 2022, James took up the position of Senior Lecturer at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and Honorary Consultant in Infection at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust where he pursues his interests in translational application of data and novel technologies to inform on infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance. To date, his publications have received over 4900 citations, and he has won the prestigious Barnett Christie Prize Lecture, the Royal College of Pathologists Research Medal in Microbiology, the ESCMID Young Investigators award, the Healthcare Infection Society Early Career Award and a National Clinical Impact Award (N3).  James is Council Member (2016-) of the Healthcare Infection Society and chairs the Professional Development Committee.  In addition to being a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Physicians, James is an active member of the National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel for microbiology, the NHS England and Improvement IPC oversight group, and has sat on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) hospital-onset COVID infection subgroup.

Isra Husain, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow and ST1 Paediatric Trainee, BSMS

Isra is an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) and an ST1 paediatric trainee in Brighton. The research conducted by her team aims to advance understanding of the interplay between physical health, neurodivergence, and mental health in children and adolescents. This aligns well with her clinical practice ethos, as paediatrics emphasizes a holistic approach centered on the patient rather than solely on their medical condition.

Isra's interest in pediatrics was sparked early on. However, her fascination with research began during her intercalated BSc in physiology, where she engaged in clinical research and recognized its potential impact on patient care. Following this she secured a place in the Specialised Foundation Programme in Brighton, allowing her to explore both clinical and academic aspects of paediatrics. These experiences solidified her decision to pursue an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship in Brighton.

As a recent ACF, Isra highly values the supportive and inspiring research environment at BSMS. Her advice to those embarking on clinical research is to seek out senior colleagues who provide support while also gently pushing them forward— this is just as important as the project itself!

Richard Holmes, Clinical Doctoral Research Fellow HEE/NIHR & Extended Scope Physiotherapist (ACP), UHSussex Trust

Richard embarked on his research journey after undertaking several MSc modules to support his professional development. This experience encouraged him to pursue a full MSc degree. His first exposure to the research process came through writing his MSc dissertation, which was later published. This research not only benefited his clinical practice by allowing him to apply his findings but also enhanced his professional network, fostering connections with fellow clinicians interested in the research topic.

Following his MSc, Richard undertook an NIHR internship, which provided him with protected and dedicated time to develop research ideas. Subsequently, he participated in a Clinical Improvement Scholarship at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This scholarship allocated him 2 days a week over the course of a year to explore personal growth in research and undertake quality improvement projects. These opportunities deepened his interest in research, fostering a desire to learn more and providing the confidence to apply for an NIHR fellowship and pursue a PhD.

For Richard, clinical academia offers the best of both worlds. He believes he could never completely abandon his clinical practice due to his fondness for patient interaction and the dynamic ward environment. However, he also values the potential of uncovering new knowledge that can benefit patients beyond his immediate focus. He draws inspiration from the accomplishments of professionals in fully integrated clinical academic roles across the country and looks forward to this becoming a reality in Sussex, particularly for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).

Reflecting on his journey, Richard's one piece of advice to aspiring researchers is to seek mentorship from someone willing and able to invest time in supporting their development. Navigating the complex world of research can be challenging, and having an experienced mentor who can offer practical advice at each stage is invaluable. Richard acknowledges that research can be a rollercoaster, and having a mentor has helped keep him grounded and provided an important reassuring voice.

Elaina Pasangha, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) and ST2 Haematology Trainee, BSMS

Elaina's first experience with research occurred during medical school, where she attended a series of research methodology seminars. The prospect of engaging in work outside of the medical curriculum excited her, prompting her to delve into practical clinical research under the guidance of her Pharmacology professor, Dr. Padmini Devi. This experience taught Elaina the importance and value of taking ownership of a project from its inception.

During medical school, Elaina engaged in various clinical research projects covering a range of subjects. These projects included developing a scoring system for the early detection of diabetic neuropathy, which incorporated established tools like monofilaments and emerging ones like the Vibratip. Additionally, she worked on optimizing pharmacotherapy for patients hospitalized with diabetic ulcers and conducted risk stratification for patients admitted with Covid-19 based on blood groups. In her Foundation training, Elaina undertook a systematic review on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and participated in a qualitative research endeavor examining access to government benefits among individuals living with disabilities in underserved areas. Furthermore, during medical school, Elaina pursued a Molecular Biology course to gain insights into laboratory research fundamentals.

These opportunities exposed Elaina to the expanse of evidence-based medicine available to clinicians and underscored the value of engaging in research throughout a clinical career. With this in mind, Elaina applied for and successfully secured an Academic Clinical Fellowship in Haematology at Brighton. This NIHR fellowship has provided her with the opportunity to pursue a formal Master's in Research and a wet laboratory project on MASTL enzyme inhibitors as a novel therapeutic target under the tutelage of Professor Andrea Pepper and Professor Professor Hochegger.

The supportive environment in Sussex, particularly for new researchers, has been instrumental in Elaina's growth as a clinical academic. She is motivated by the opportunity to pursue her clinical training alongside engaging in the fulfilling experience of research. Elaina's advice for anyone interested in a career in research is to go for it if it's something they feel strongly about. While there may be incredibly hard days, she believes these make the good days so much more rewarding.