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  Professor Leighton Phillips

  Director for Research, Innovation and University Partnerships, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Professor Leighton Phillips is Director of Research, Innovation and University Partnerships at Hywel Dda University Health Board, overseeing a significant research portfolio – including supporting industry in the development of new technologies and devices. Prior to joining the Health Board, Leighton worked in the HEI sector and the senior civil service.
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  Professor Chris Hopkins

  Head of TriTech & Innovation, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Chris is a Consultant Clinical Scientist, an Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science at Swansea University, and an Honorary Professor in the Wales Institute of Science and Art. He is currently Head of TriTech & Innovation in Hywel Dda University Health Board, Assistant Director of AHP’s and Health Science in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Clinical Director within the Assistive technologies and innovation centre, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David.

  Holding fellowships from the AHCS and IPEM, he is also a Chartered Scientist and a Chartered Engineer. Chris is a member of the expert advisory committee within MHRA, a member of the Health Technology Wales appraisal panel and was awarded the Excellence in Healthcare Science Research and Innovation Award at the NHS England Chief Scientific Officer’s Excellence in Healthcare Science Awards 2022.

  Collaborating with various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Industry across Wales and the UK, the team conducts research and real-world evaluations on medical technologies, services, processes, and pathway models. The team is composed of individuals holding dual NHS/HEI honorary contracts and encompasses a variety of backgrounds including NHS, HEI and industry. Engaging with this talented group of professionals has reinforced his belief that achieving greater inclusivity and diversity within the sector is not only achievable but also essential for its future prosperity

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  Professor Keir Lewis

  Clinical Lead TriTech & Innovation, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Keir Lewis is Professor of Respiratory Medicine in Swansea University and Clinical Lead for TriTech, Innovation and the Respiratory Services at Hywel Dda University Health Board, UK. Keir is a member of various research committees and task forces in British and European Thoracic Societies and is Speciality Lead for Respiratory Medicine for Wales on the UKCRN.

  Keir is Medical Director of Respiratory Innovation Wales and is a Chief Investigator or collaborator on several UK trials on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking cessation and latterly COVID. He has lectured worldwide, published over 90 papers, 3 textbooks and has advised various Governments, NICE and the HTA on technologies, smoking cessation and chronic diseases.

  Joining the NHS with local universities and biomedical / biotech companies, he has helped attract over £22M funding and won national awards including “Innovation in the NHS”, “Reducing Health Inequalities” and “Collaboration with International Industry”. He is a Non-Executive Director within two companies and is the Co-Creator and Chair of charity, WORLD.

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  Dr Matthew Lawrence

  Deputy Head of TriTech & Innovation, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Dr Matthew Lawrence is Deputy Head of TriTech and Innovation for Hywel Dda University Health Board, UK. He has over 15 years of experience working in medical research. Matthew’s main area of focus during his research career has been in translating knowledge and technical know-how from engineering and the physical sciences into advances in healthcare technology.

  As part of his research, Matthew has worked within a clinical environment – bridging the gap between health, science, and engineering. His primary research focussed on developing new technologies for measuring haemostasis and blood flow in relation to health and disease, particularly in respect to how clotting characteristics are altered by treatment and disease progression in vascular inflammatory disease. As a result, he has authored a wide range of peer reviewed articles on several different disease states.

  During his career, Matthew has developed expertise in study design, project management and statistical analysis. Furthermore, he has gained a strong understanding of the regulatory and governance processes in health research in the UK and is currently the Chairman of Health and Care Research Wales’ research ethics committee Wales REC 6.

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  Mr Peter Jones

  Healthcare Scientist TriTech, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Peter Jones is a Healthcare Scientist for TriTech Institute at Hywel Dda University Health Board, UK currently managing quality, governance and the recently implemented ISO13485 quality system for medical devices alongside the ongoing regulatory requirements.

  Peter has previously worked in the biotech industry designing and developing biomass monitoring equipment for the pharmaceutical industries. Peter has experience with CE marking, and was the authorised conformity signatory for probes used in the pharmaceutical biomass reactors. He has over 20 years’ experience in clinical engineering as a Specialist Healthcare Scientist.

  Peter’s interests are 3D printing, electronic circuit design and artificial intelligence systems.

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  Mr Billy Woods

  Clinical Scientist TriTech, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Billy Woods is a Clinical Scientist for TriTech Institute at Hywel Dda University Health Board, UK. He trained in rehabilitation engineering on the NHS clinical scientist training program – working closely with patients in areas such as posture & mobility, assistive technology, clinical gait analysis and medical device development.

  Through finding practical solutions to problems faced by individuals with neurological impairments in both industry and NHS environments, he has developed a passion for improving the outcomes of patients.

  Billy’s previous research projects include a clinical photography app development for remote data collection and functional electrical stimulation used in rehabilitation and accessible sports.

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  Mrs Arya Chandran

  Research Assistant TriTech, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Mrs Arya Chandran is a Research Assistant for TriTech Institute at Hywel Dda University Health Board, Wales. Arya specialises in biomedical engineering and has authored various papers. She has several years of experience within biomedical engineering research, having presented original work at both national and international level. Arya’s research interests include the role of biosensors and transducers in healthcare.
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  Dr Gareth Davies

  Innovation Technologist, TriTech & Innovation, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Dr Gareth Davies is a Innovation Technologist for TriTech Institute at Hywel Dda University Health Board, Wales. His previous research has focused on the effects of sepsis on blood coagulation and clot structure.

  Gareth has over 5 years experience working in an acute clinical setting. He has authored various papers and is currently the TriTech lead on Technology Enabled Care (TEC). He has several years of experience with app development, having published several commercial apps.

  Gareth’s research interests include the role of AI in healthcare, particularly machine learning and its potential application as a biomarker.

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  Tracey Rees

  Research Assistant, TriTech, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Tracey Rees is the Research Assistant for TriTech Institute at Hywel Dda University Health Board, supporting the team with a wide range of tasks to ensure communication is seamless.
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  Marie Kathrens

  Programme Manager – Innovation, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Marie Kathrens is currently hosted by Tritech as part of a secondment role working with the Bevan Commission Planned Care Innovation Projects and Innovation Leads across Wales to support the delivery of the Welsh Government Innovation Strategy. Marie is an experienced Programme and Project Manager (MSP; Prince 2) who has worked for Hywel Dda University Health Board for five years within the specialities of mental health and urgent emergency care.

  Marie has recently completed a MSc in Advanced Health and Care Management (Innovation).  As part of her research, Marie studied the barriers and enablers to the adoption and spread of evidence-based innovation and has an interest in increasing the adoption rate of successful innovation projects, ensuring they transition from the pilot stage to delivering wider impact.

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  Richard Davies

  Research and Innovation Coordinator, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Richard Davies is our Research and Innovation Coordinator and he supports healthcare professionals to develop innovation projects and helps link University partners with specialists in the Health Board to foster dynamic partnerships and collaborations.
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  Stephen Farrington

  Healthcare Scientist, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Stephen Farrington has more than 35 years of experience working within NHS Clinical Engineering and has worked closely with TriTech Institute since its formation. He currently works as a Healthcare Scientist, managing various projects and developing processes and procedures for TriTech, including ensuring that it retains its ISO I13485 quality management system.

  Stephen’s previous roles within the Hywel Dda University Health Board include Medical Device Trainer and Medical Device Coordinator.
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  Zohra Omar

  Research and Innovation Clinical Nurse Specialist, Hywel Dda University Health Board

  Zohra Omar is our Research and Innovation Clinical Nurse Specialist with over 30 years of experience working within the NHS. A significant portion of her nursing career has focused on the delivery of clinical research within healthcare, supporting both patients/study participants and clinical teams. She has built a wide network of associates both within the NHS and outside including members of the multidisciplinary team, sponsors and industry partners.

  At TriTech, she is actively involved in all aspects of research delivery from study set up, to co-ordinating the initiation, management and completion of research, dealing with data collection and ensuring study design is pragmatic and deliverable. She also plays a vital role in the delivery of clinical research.

   

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  Daniel Harris

  Clinical Academic Pharmacist and Lead Cardiac Services Pharmacist

  Dr Daniel Harris is our Clinical Academic Pharmacist and lead Cardiac Services Pharmacist. Daniel has over 20 years clinical experience, mainly in the field of cardiology and stroke management, and an extensive research career focussed on cardiovascular risk management and disease prevention.

  Daniel is currently delivering the ‘Next Generation Population Health in NHS Wales project. A partnership between Swansea University, Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay University Health Boards.’ This project starts with linked healthcare datasets within the SAIL databank to describe trends in the presentation of cardiovascular disease in Wales and identifying opportunities for improved disease management. The second phase of this project is implementing and evaluating a novel care pathway aimed at improving cardiovascular risk factor management in high-risk patients.

  Alongside this work, Daniel is involved in multiple cardiovascular epidemiological studies, is a PhD supervisor and an Associate Professor at Swansea University.

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Affiliates

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  Dr Neil McGuire

  Clinical Regulatory Affiliate, TriTech

  Neil is currently working as a clinical regulatory adviser to a number of centres of academic excellence, including University College London. He is also engaged with a new start-up company Meliora Innovation, who are eagerly looking to explore the gaps in medical device provision across the globe. His role is in supporting the design and production of innovative medical devices which will ultimately help improve patient care in the NHS.

  These engagements have been because of the work which he undertook with many manufacturers, NHS and academic institutions during the pandemic. This included extensive, positive engagement with Hywel Dda University Health Board in Wales. This latter fruitful relationship with the Tritech Institute and Welsh innovation expertise has continued to develop and he is keen to consolidate this further.

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  Dr Sean Jenkins

  Associate Professor and ATiC Principal Innovation Fellow, UWTSD

  Dr Sean Jenkins is Associate Professor of Industrial Design at UWTSD.  Previously Principal Lecturer and Head of the School of Design and Applied Arts, he now leads the research, development, and innovation activity at ATiC.

  Sean’s current research interest is the application of behavioural and physiological metrics to the study of user experience in healthcare and wellbeing.  Sean has a degree in 3D Design, a Master’s degree in Industrial Design and a PhD in the “Thermographic Measurement of User Experience during Human-Product Interaction”.  His PhD explored the efficacy of Infrared Thermography as a non-contact, objective modality for the measurement of user experience during human-product interaction.

  In addition to this, Sean’s academic and professional research interests include all facets of industrial design theory, research and praxis, with specific teaching and research interest in Computer Aided Design (2D Sketching to 3D Surface Modelling, Visualisation and Prototyping) and Human Factors (Product Interaction, Usability and User Experience measurement).  He is a Certified Infrared Thermographer and a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.

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  Dr Naomi Joyce

  Head of Partnerships, Life Science Hub Wales

  Dr. Naomi Joyce, Head of Partnerships, Life Science Hub Wales.

  Naomi leads the partnership team who are responsible for the development and delivery of strategic partnerships for the Life Science Hub Wales across the health and social care sectors. Naomi has an academic background in health technologies and has experience in leading innovation programmes at the interface between the NHS, academia and industry. Following the completion of her doctorate, Naomi became a senior lecturer and fellow of the Higher Education Academy before subsequently becoming certified as a PRINCE2 Practitioner and Better Business Case Practitioner.
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  Dr Natalie De Mello

  Senior Lecturer / Faculty Enterprise, Partnerships and Innovation (EPI) Lead, Biomedical Sciences, Swansea University

  Natalie is a Senior Innovation Technologist at Swansea University’s Healthcare Technology Centre, part of the Accelerate Wales programme. Leading on collaborative industry led research and development (R&D) of healthcare technologies. After gaining a BSc and PhD, Dr De Mello worked with industry partner Innoture Ltd through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership as principle scientist to lead and develop their R&D capabilities within Swansea. This led to the successful launch of three products and a pilot clinical investigation of their medical device. Dr De Mello is a chartered Scientist gaining accreditation in 2019 through the Royal Society of Biology.