What is your current role in EPAD?

I am the Global Trial Lead for the Proof of Concept Trial working in the Chief Investigator’s office at the University of Edinburgh.  In this role I am responsible for bringing together the EPAD team at the University and IQVIA to work with intervention owners who wish to test their compound using the PoC platform.  I also work very closely with EPAD team members from the EFPIA partners who are integral in the set-up and ongoing work on the PoC platform.

What did you do prior to joining EPAD?

Immediately prior to joining EPAD I worked at Roche for seven years on a global phase 3 program investigating a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.  In total I have worked for nearly 15 years on clinical trials of potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in a variety of roles as a rater and study coordinator on site, a monitor in a CRO and global study leader in the pharmaceutical industry across Australia and the UK.

Tell us a bit about the institution/company/organisation you work for.

I work for the University of Edinburgh which is the sponsor organisation for the Proof of Concept Trial.  The University of Edinburgh was opened in 1583 and many buildings in the historic Old Town of Edinburgh belong to the university.  I split my work time between Edinburgh and London and when in Edinburgh I work at the Centre for Dementia Prevention at the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary, which is great as I can see how EPAD also works from a TDC perspective.

What are your expectations from the EPAD project?

I hope that the EPAD project can enhance our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease as well as lead the way forward in revolutionising the drug development pathway for clinical trials of potential treatments.  With the expertise and dedication of everyone involved across the different organisations I think we have a great chance of achieving this.