Meet our Research Associates
Doctor Demi Denton
Demi completed a PhD in Cell Biology (University of Manchester) in 2005 and after several years of laboratory-based science engaged in a career in clinical research.
In July 2010 she started her role as a research associate with the cough research team. Demi has since specialised in performing Gastro-Intestinal (GI) physiology tests in parallel to cough monitoring of patients who are under investigations for acid reflux.
Doctor Kevin McGuinness
Kevin is in charge of our clinical engineering work. He has worked in the team for over 10 years. During this time he has been involved in lots of research studies, completed a PhD, and developed software to improve the efficiency of the analysis of coughing sounds made by the cough monitoring device.
Over the years Kevin's research has reduced the time taken by our researchers to count your coughs dramatically.
Meet our Research Assistants
Kim Holt
Kim graduated from Salford University in 2008 with a 1st class degree in Biomolecular Science and a diploma in Professional Studies. After completing her degree, Kim aspired to work in patient based medical science and in 2010 she joined the cough research team.
As research assistant her overall role is to carry out clinical, technical, laboratory and administrative duties to actively support ongoing research studies and clinical trials within the group. Kim has just completed an MPhil degree at the University of Manchester.
Rachel Dockry
As a research assistant with the cough team, Rachel’s day to day role includes seeing volunteers, analysing cough recordings and assisting with the set up of studies.
Before joining the team in 2010, Rachel worked in the Medicines Evaluation Unit with COPD and asthma patients. She has a degree in biology from the University of York and an MSc in genetic epidemiology from Sheffield University.
She is currently undertaking her PhD at the University of Manchester.
Carmen Gibbard
Carmen joined the team in 2013. Her main role is assisting Dr Badri in her new research projects. Carmen grew up in Canterbury, Kent and moved to Manchester in 2004 to undertake a Biomedical Science degree at Salford University. After graduating she spent two years working within a large team at Salford Royals Pathology Department, before deciding to pursue a career in research.
Carmen has previously worked at the Christie Hospital in cancer research and the University Hospital of South Manchester in biobank research.
Meet our Support Team
Kitty Sheppard
Kitty is a Research Support Officer and assists on various studies providing administration support and preparing study equipment for patient visits. She provides cough sound analysis for our Research Assistants.
Kitty Graduated from The University of Brighton with a degree in Criminology and Sociology. She worked in the firearms team at the Home Office and for a commercial research organisation before joining the Cough Team in 2012. Since then she has discovered a passion for working with patients and contributing to research studies.
Shilpi Sen
Shilpi recently joined the team as research support officer. Her role involves supporting our research assistants with cough sound analysis, preparing the necessary paperwork and equipment ready for study visits and data management.
Shilpi has Masters in Anthropology from India and a Graduate Diploma in Information Sciences from New Zealand. Shilpi has many years of experience in various fields including administration, database management and statistical research.
Phil Turner
Phil recently graduated from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) with an honours degree in Music and Theatre.
After taking part as a volunteer in a research study he became interested in a career in research. He's the newest member of our team, joining the cough research group in September 2014.
Phil’s experience in music, and the use of audio software, assists him in the analysis of the cough sounds recorded by the VitaloJAK cough monitor.
Danielle Yuill
Danielle is our Involvement and Enagement Manager. She originally joined the team in November 2009 as an Administrator, splitting her time between admin support for the chronic cough clinic and our research studies.
In October 2010 she started managing our research studies and preparing the regulatory paperwork required before research can begin. Danielle has a keen interest in the ethics of carrying out research and in 2014 she completed a Master's degree in clinical research. She also has a keen interest in the use of lay language in research and works with our doctors, research associates and assistants to ensure the paperwork you recieve when taking part in research is clear and concise.
As a patient involvement and engagement manager for respiratory and allergy research, her work includes involving patients and the public in the work we do and planning events like combat my cough.
Zbigniew Koziel
Zbigniew joined the team in 2013. He studied acoustics and sound engineering at the University of Salford. In 2009, he graduated with BSc (Hons) degree. He started his Master’s degree and spent two years to investigate the negative effects from light and freight trains on residents who live close to rail lines. He completed this in 2011.
Zbigniew's main role is to explore and analyse sounds caused by coughs. He supports the process of developing and improving the cough monitoring device. His project involves investigating existing techniques for speech detection that could improve the process of automated cough counting.