2024 Research & Development Conference

2024 Keynote Speaker

Dr Rob Orford FRSB OBE
CEO, Moondance Cancer Initiative

Dr Orford joined Moondance Cancer Initiative as CEO in April 2024. Former Chief Scientific Advisor for Health and professional lead for Healthcare Science in Wales, he led the Welsh Government scientific and technical response to Covid-19. He was recognised in the New Year Honours list 2024, receiving an OBE for services to health sciences and evidence in health policy. Rob is also a Visiting Professor at the University of South Wales.
 

2024 Scientific Chairs

Professor Peter Sykes
Associate Dean: Enterprise and Innovation / 
Professor in Environmental Health Practice and Innovation
Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences / 
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Peter is a Professor in Environmental Health Practice and Innovation and is also the Associate Dean (Innovation) at Cardiff’s School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University. Peter teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level on modules relating to risk assessment, occupational health, safety and wellbeing, public health and environmental health. Peter’s research interest in bio aerosols has enabled him to publish widely in his field, present at international conferences and contribute to the development of industry guidance. Peter is the Director of the Centre for Health, Safety and Environment at Cardiff Met and works extensively with UK waste management companies assisting them in minimising the potential impacts on worker’s respiratory health arising from exposure to biological agents.
 

Professor Dean Harris
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
Swansea Bay University Health Board

Professor Dean Harris is the Deputy R&D Director at Swansea Bay UHB and vice chair of the Joint Scientific Research Committee. He is a consultant colorectal surgeon in SBUHB providing tertiary services for advanced rectal cancer. He is Lead Clinician of the Colorectal Cancer MDT and clinical lead for the Wales Cancer Industry Forum. He is on the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (2020-present) fuelling his interest in MedTech innovation.

In 2013, he became an honorary clinical professor in Swansea University Medical School with research interests in early detection of cancer and personalised cancer treatment, and has won over £2M in academic funding towards this.

He is co-founder and clinical director of CanSense, a Swansea University spinout company, translating a reagent-free colorectal cancer serum diagnostic for the NHS to address cancer inequalities.
 

2024 Judges

Emmeline Watkins
Consultant in Public Health
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board - Public Health Team

Emmeline Watkins is a Consultant in Public Health at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board leading on Health Protection.

Previously Emmeline worked as the Deputy Director of Public Health in Milton Keynes and then Peterborough. She is an epidemiologist by background with a PhD in transmission dynamics of malaria. Emmeline has considerable cross-sector experience having worked within local government, as a teacher, within the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

Emmeline is passionate about addressing the social determinants of health, systems leadership and driving effective implementation in local areas.

Richard Hughes
Director of Corporate Nursing, Clinical Education, Quality & Safety / Deputy Executive Director of Nursing
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Richard Hughes is the Deputy Executive Director of Nursing at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB). Throughout his esteemed career, he has embraced a variety of roles across multiple regions within the healthcare sector, demonstrating his commitment to nursing and healthcare management and further establishing himself as a respected leader in the field.

Research has served as a fundamental influence throughout Richard's professional career, shaping his perspectives on healthcare and leadership. His extensive experience in emergency care, developed over years of advanced practice, has equipped him with a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist within the healthcare sector.

In recent years, Richard has undertaken senior leadership positions across NHS South East, London, and Wales, leveraging his expertise in strategic decision-making and organisational development. As an accredited executive leadership coach, he is committed to fostering the growth of new and emerging leaders within the healthcare sector.

In addition to his role at CTMUHB, Richard serves as the Chair of the All-Wales Deputy Director of Nursing Forum and is a member of the statutory Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee. He is also a board trustee for a charitable organisation and a member of the Board of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales. Through these roles, he makes significant contributions to the advancement of nursing and healthcare in the region.

Mrs Clare Connor
Consultant Physiotherapist
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Clare is a Consultant Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. She has been in her current post since August this year. Prior to that she was a Physiotherapy Clinical Lead at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Clare has contributed to the development of national guidelines for the management of shoulder pain and to surgical practice guidelines for elbow replacement surgery, endorsed by the British Orthopaedic Association and Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT).

She has fulfilled the role of principal investigator, co-applicant and trial steering committee member for NIHR portfolio studies relating to surgery and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal shoulder conditions.

She is a peer reviewer for Physiotherapy Theory and Practice and British Journal of General Practice and is a member of the editorial board for Shoulder and Elbow.

Professor Delyth H James
Professor of Health Psychology in Pharmacy Practice
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Delyth James is a Professor of Health Psychology in Pharmacy Practice at the School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, where she is Vice-Chair of the School Professoriate. She has been a registered pharmacist for over 35 years, with experience of working in clinical practice and academia in England and Wales.

Professor James’ research draws on psychological theory to address problems which are central to the way people use medication. Her specific areas of interest are in developing visual communication resources to support medication-taking and educating professionals to conduct effective consultations to support behaviour change.

Delyth is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice. Over her career Prof James has secured funding totalling nearly £2 million, published over 100 outputs, and presented widely at national and international conferences. She is a panel member of the NIHR and Health & Care Research Wales (HCRW) Doctoral and Advanced Clinical Fellowship award review panels. She was a member of NHS Wales Research Ethics Committee for over five-years and an active member of the Pharmacy Research Wales steering group.

Delyth is a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, Fellow of the Higher Education Authority and member of the British Psychological Society and Division of Health Psychology. She is a member of the Science & Research Committee and was recently appointed to the Fellows Panel of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Sponsors

Alpha Laboratories

For nearly 50 years Alpha Laboratories has been providing quality supply and support to UK and international laboratory and clinical scientists. This family run company is led by its vision to “find new ways to help science improve people’s lives through its evolving range of specialist Diagnostic and Laboratory Products. Visit our stand to find out more about Alpha Laboratories

Website: https://www.alphalabs.co.uk/

Sebia

Sebia is the world’s leading provider of clinical equipment and reagents used for in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing.

Sebia’s automated Capillary Electrophoresis and gel electrophoresis systems are used to screen and monitor various diseases, including multiple myeloma, diabetes, haemoglobinopathies, chronic alcohol abuse and rarer disease testing.

The latest Capillarys 3 platforms produce unparalleled, interference free, separations, with high throughput and modular expandable units, that produce accurate and precise quantification of paraproteins, HbA1c, Haemoglobin and CDT fractions. This gives clinicians ultimate confidence in their diagnosis and monitoring of their patients.

Sebia’s extensive R&D expertise enables the continuous development of innovative solutions for clinical applications. With recent acquisitions of reputable IVD companies, Sebia is becoming one of fastest growing IVD players 

• Sebia FLC, is an ELISA based serum free light chain assay, is not affected by the analytical limitations on methods currently used. 
• Sebia continues to develop new technologies with investment into the latest Mass Spectrometry and Flow Cytometry applications in Myeloma MRD
• Sebia recently acquired two companies Orgentec and Zeus Scientific , the supplier of Autoimmunity and Infectious disease testing, with its unique monotest Elisa Alegria 2 platform and IFA slides and microscope, a great addition to the Sebia solution for the routine laboratory

Website: www.sebia.com

Binding Site

Optimising multiple myeloma, immune system disorders and special protein diagnostics through 35 years of scientific leadership. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

Website: https://www.thermofisher.com/bindingsite

Roche

For well over a century, Roche Diagnostics have focused our energy and investment in developing tests and treatments that change lives and give people more quality time with the people they love.

Whether you live in Aberdeen, Belfast, Wrexham or Chelmsford, at Roche, we believe that access to great healthcare can and should be available.

Each year, we transform millions of lives with our joined-up approach to testing and treatment. But our impact extends far beyond those we treat. Behind every child we test, are parents looking for peace of mind; behind every grandparent we treat, is a family who can spend more time with them.

While most of our work focuses on the sickest people in the UK, our work impacts everyone. Families, friends, and loved ones; at Roche UK we are dedicated to ensuring everyone gets to spend more time with the people they love.

Website: https://www.roche.co.uk/

Cultech

Established in 1994, Cultech has become internationally recognised as both an innovator and premium quality manufacturer within the nutritional supplement industry.

The powerful combination of research scientists and formulation, process and production technologies enable Cultech to provide a fully integrative manufacturing service involving unique formulations, innovative presentation and high-quality finished products. The Company is committed to research and development and ploughs most of its profits into continuous project development.

Cultech Ltd sells to over 30 different countries world-wide and exports more than 50% of its sales which means Cultech have a strong global reach.

Website: www.cultech.co.uk
Instagram: @provenbiotics
Facebook: @ProVenBioticsUK
TikTok: @provenbioticsuk
YouTube: @Pro-Ven
LinkedIn: @proven-biotics
Twitter: @ProVenBiotics

Exhibition Stands

Value-Based Health Care

Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) is an approach that prioritises delivering the best possible outcomes for patients while ensuring the efficient and sustainable use of healthcare resources. It aims to enhance patient care by focusing on value rather than volume, emphasising quality, patient satisfaction, and long-term outcomes. At our stand, representatives will be available to discuss and answer questions about our new Value Based Healthcare Measures software. This innovative digital system is designed to collect and analyse patient-reported clinical outcomes, using clinically validated questionnaires, enabling us to assess the effectiveness of treatments from the patient's perspective. Currently being implemented in Heart Failure and Lymphoedema services, it will soon expand across all service areas. By supporting shared decision-making between patients and clinicians, this data will not only improve patient care, outcomes and experience, but also generates valuable data for future research to enhance healthcare delivery.

Website: https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/about-us/value-based-health-care

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff Metropolitan University delivers professionally recognised degrees, together with impactful research and innovation, in art and design, business and management, education and public services, sport and health sciences, and technologies and engineering.

The Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences prides itself on its reputation for ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ research. Research and Innovation are strategic priorities, as evidenced by the breadth, depth and quality of demonstrated research activity. The School's commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture and supporting staff in their research aspirations are central to its ethos of research informed teaching and learning, as well as external engagement.

Our research has a strong applied base and has active research programmes in several allied health professions, health, education and community services, physical activity participation and performance sport. It is home to a number of centres, including the Centre for Speech, Hearing & Communication Research, the Centre for Sport Coaching, Management & Culture, the Centre for Health, Immunology Microbiology and Environment (CHIME), the Food Industry Centre – Zero to Five, the Centre for Health, Activity & Wellbeing Research (CAWR), the Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Innovation and Development (CURIAD) and the Centre for Applied Sports Science & Medicine. Through these centres and Research and Innovation groups our investigative agenda stretches across health, lifestyle behaviour, and sport and exercise science. 

Website: Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences Home https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/sportandhealthsciences/Pages/default.aspx

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Based in the Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences division at Cardiff University, our researchers are working to improve young people's mental health. Our work mainly focuses on ADHD, understanding the development of mental health problems, mental health problems in schools, and depression and anxiety through the Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health.

X: https://x.com/wolfsoncentre 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfsoncentre/

Stroke Hub

Stroke Hub Wales is a collaborative hub working to advance stroke research, innovation, and education across Wales. We do this by acting as a central resource and facilitating clear lines of communication and support between the seven Welsh Health Boards, the Wales Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, the Welsh Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), third sector stroke organisations, stroke survivors, patients, carers, and members of the public.

X: @strokehubwales
LinkedIn: Stroke Hub Wales
Facebook: Stroke Hub Wales
Website: https://www.stroke.wales

Health and Care Research Wales

Health and Care Research Wales is a networked organisation, supported by Welsh Government, which brings together a wide range of partners across the NHS in Wales, local authorities, universities, research institutions, third sector and others.

We work in close partnership with other government agencies and research funders (both in Wales and across the UK); industry partners; patients; service users; public and other stakeholders.

We work together to promote research into diseases, treatments, services and outcomes that can lead to discoveries and innovations which can improve and even save people’s lives.

Website: www.healthandcareresearchwales.org
X: https://twitter.com/ResearchWales
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/health-and-care-research-wales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResearchWales/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/researchwales/

Swansea Trials Unit

STU offers methodological advice and support to clinical teams, both in designing new trials and in applying for grants.  After successful applications we work within trial teams to develop, initiate, conduct, manage, analyse and report funded studies. Thus we aim to improve the health of the people of Wales and beyond by enhancing the number, progress and quality of trials in health & social care, with particular reference to secondary and emergency care, notably in gastroenterology and mental health.  We believe that clinical trials can only be delivered successfully where there is a commitment at every stage to including the experiences and expertise of patients and service users.

Website: https://swanseatrialsunit.org/
X: @STU_swan
Email: STU@swansea.ac.uk

University of South Wales

The University of South Wales has a strong reputation for producing highly impactful and applied research. We’re passionate about working with partners to address real-world challenges. Our research experts work with organisations of all sizes, and from all sectors, to develop new ideas, products and services that solve a specific problem. We help policy makers gather evidence to understand the needs and experiences of a sector or industry to better inform solutions.

Website: Southwales.ac.uk/research
X: https://x.com/USWResearch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uswresearch/

Trinity St Davids University - WIDI

The Wales Institute of Digital Information is a dynamic strategic alliance.

Since its launch in March 2017, WIDI has created an innovative and sustainable institute that is able to move seamlessly between the areas of research, product and service innovation.

Working in the WIDI Partnership, the Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW), the University of Wales Trinity Saint David Group, and the University of South Wales have the knowledge and expertise to enhance digital workforce development in health and care and innovation to establish medical data research projects.

Website: Wales Institute for Digital Information – Accelerating the use of digital technology to improve

Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (RCT HDRC)

In October 2023, the Council was awarded £5 million from the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to establish the RCT Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). This Council led collaboration with Cardiff University, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Interlink RCT, Public Health Wales and Citizens, seeks to tackle the wider determinants of health to reduce health inequalities and improve the lives of residents in RCT. RCT HDRC offers the Council a new and innovative opportunity to work with academia, partners and our communities to make positive progress towards tackling poverty by establishing a culture of evidence informed decision making at all levels in the Council.

1. Enzo Battista-Dowds / Enzo Battista-Dowds Abstract
2. Gwenno Roberts / Gwenno Roberts Abstract
3. Helen Slade / Helen Slade Abstract
4. Nadia Higgi / Nadia Higgi Abstract

1. Naomi Elias / Naomi Elias Abstract

2. Menna Payne / Menna Payne Abstract

3. Bethan Davies / Bethan Davies Abstract

4. Ethan Beynon / Ethan Beynon Abstract

5. Dean Harris / Dean Harris Abstract

6. Ellis James / Ellis James Abstract

7. Jane Lewis / Jane Lewis Abstract

8. Leon Arrowsmith-Hill / Leon Arrowsmith-Hill Abstract

9. Sali Curtis / Sali Curtis Abstract

10. Nabeela Rafiq / Nabeela Rafiq Abstract

11. Vanessa Jones / Vanessa Jones Abstract

12. Helen Davies / Helen Davies Abstract

13. Avneet Kaur Kainth / Avneet Kaur Kainth Abstract

14. Julie McDonald / Julie McDonald Abstract

15. Adam Cook-Young / Adam Cook-Young Abstract

16. Samantha Roberts / Samantha Roberts Abstract

17. Isabella Carter / Isabella Carter Abstract

18. Dominic Anderson / Dominic Anderson Abstract

19. Sarah Richards / Sarah Richards Abstract

20. Helen Williams / Helen Williams Abstract

21. Matt Davies / Matt Davies Abstract

22. Richard Webb / Richard Webb Abstract

23. Karen Wingfield / Karen Wingfield Abstract

24. Rory Clark / Rory Clark Abstract

25. Becky Raven / Becky Ravan Abstract

26. Sarah Hoidge-Hughes / Sarah Hoidge-Hughes Abstract

27. Eve Stringer / Eve Stringer Abstract

28. Megan Elliott Poster / Megan Elliott Abstract

29. Marion Lewis / Marion Lewis Abstract

30. Sarah Al Hussain / Sarah Al-Hussain Abstract

31. Dan Law / Dan Law Abstract

32. Menna Payne Poster / Menna Payne Abstract

33. Iyad Al-Muzaffar / Iyad Al-Muzaffar Abstract

34. Neil Hawkes / Neil Hawkes Abstract

35. Jupin Yu / Juping Yu Abstract

36. Imran Mohamed / Imran Mohamed Abstract

37. Samantha Roberts / Samantha Roberts Abstract

38. Christopher Greenfield / Christopher Greenfield Abstract

39. Sarah Brown / Sarah Brown Abstract

40. Loli Macchiavello / Loli Macchiavello Abstract

41. Ceri Lynch Poster / Ceri Lynch Abstract

42. Thomas Jones / Thomas Jones Abstract

43. Jennifer Collings / Jennifer Collings Abstract

44. Sandra Glanc / Sandra Glanc Abstract

45. Jessica Williams / Jessica Williams Abstract

46. Menna Payne / Menna Payne Abstract

47. Jessica Thomas / Jessica Thomas Abstract

48. Iyad Al-Muzaffar / Iyad Al-Muzaffar Abstract

49. Megan Elliott / Megan Elliott Abstract

50. Cass Whelan / Cass Whelan Abstract

51. Anna Brooks / Anna Brooks Abstract

52. Jane Williams / Jane Williams Abstract

1. Anitha Livingstone / Anitha Livingstone Abstract
2. Anitha Livingstone / Anitha Livingstone Abstract
3. Anitha Livingstone / Anitha Livingstone Abstract