Having studied nursing at King’s College London, I then graduated with a Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Practice. I was awarded a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Doctoral Fellowship at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and graduated with a PhD in Palliative Medicine from the School of Medicine, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King’s College London (2015). I have 28 years of clinical experience in nephrology nursing across diverse teams and settings, which provides credibility and context for my research and clinical academic leadership, as well as first-hand experience of the needs of patients and families.

I lead research at the interface between nephrology and palliative care, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease. I was successful in obtaining an NIHR Clinical Lectureship, one of only 2 nurses in the UK awarded from the 2015 integrated clinical academic round. My NIHR Clinical Lectureship award has enabled me to develop my clinical academic leadership; I provide highly specialist knowledge as a senior clinician which in turn facilitates the ability to understand the future direction of research and innovation that is required to evolve the field of palliative nephrology. I am chief investigator of the QUALYCARE Kidney study (funder, HEE/NIHR) and co-applicant on the Prepare for kidney care study (funder, NIHR HTA programme), a randomised controlled trial comparing preparation for dialysis versus preparation for conservative care. I have now moved to a senior clinical academic position, a combined post across Coventry University and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust continuing to spearhead the development of the renal palliative care service, exert influence and provide advice to others nationally and 
internationally in terms of my research and clinical academic practice.