Overview

Cohort: 9

I am a pharmacist interested in the implementation of pharmacogenomic testing into cancer treatment pathways.

I graduated from The University of Manchester in 2008, training first at the Royal Marsden before moving to the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in 2010, where I specialised as an oncology pharmacist. I completed a Clinical Pharmacy Diploma from Liverpool John Moore’s University in 2013, and have worked as an independent prescriber in upper gastrointestinal cancers since 2015.

I started working at the NHS North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance in 2021 and completed my MSc in Genomic Medicine in 2022. I was awarded a pre-doctoral fellowship by the NIHR-ARC in Greater Manchester in 2023 and, subsequently, a 4Ward North PhD Fellowship in 2025.

PhD title

Developing a programme theory for the implementation of pharmacogenomic panel testing into cancer treatment pathways.

Brief summary of PhD project

Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) is one of the main treatment options for people with cancer, at high cost to the NHS. However, treatment toxicity is common and variable. This causes a significant burden on people undergoing treatment, and puts strain on the health service.

Pharmacogenomics is the study of inherited genomic variation linked to drug response, and has the potential to optimise prescribing, leading to reduced toxicity and improved outcomes. However, there is little evidence around the potential impact and best use of pharmacogenomic testing in NHS care.

In this fellowship, I will develop a model (programme theory) for how a multi-gene inherited pharmacogenomic panel-test intervention could improve outcomes for people undergoing systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) for solid tumours. I will partner with stakeholders to design a pharmacogenomic testing pathway.

Using a combination of real-world data, quantitative studies and qualitative research, I will assess the value, acceptability and feasibility of introducing a pharmacogenomic panel-test within SACT prescribing pathways, whether for curative, life-extending or palliative intent. Importantly this will also highlight which factors contribute to successful implementation. 

The outputs from this research will enable us to design a future definitive pharmacogenomic panel interventional study that will permit robust evaluation, and ultimately show how this kind of test could improve outcomes for people receiving anti-cancer treatment.

Key collaborators/supervisors

Lead supervisor

Prof Bill Newman (The University of Manchester)

Co-supervisors

• Prof Paul Wilson (The University of Manchester)
• Prof Alastair Greystoke (Newcastle University)
• Dr Mike Braun (The Christie NHS Foundation Trust)

Specialty interest/techniques

• Pharmacogenomics
• Prescribing & Medicines Optimisation
• Oncology
• Implementation Science
• Mixed methods

Career aspirations

My long-term ambition is to be a clinical academic pharmacist leading a programme of translational research in genomic medicine. Clinically, I hope to work as a consultant pharmacist in genomic medicine. 

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