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NIHR Staff Profile: Nachammai Swaminathan

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Photo of Nachammai Swaminathan

Helping make research more inclusive across Leeds

As a Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Officer at NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Nachammai Swaminathan is passionate about ensuring research reflects and includes the communities it aims to serve.

Working as part of the NIHR PPIE strategy across Leeds research including NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds, Nachammai supports patient and public involvement in research, with a particular focus on underserved and underrepresented communities.

A key part of her role involves building trusted relationships with local organisations, charities, community leaders and partners to help make research more accessible, inclusive and community focused. Her work includes supporting community engagement, co-production activities, condition-specific PPIE groups and outreach initiatives designed to encourage wider participation in research.

Nachammai said: “Through community outreach and relationship-building, I have been able to support people from underserved and research-naïve communities to feel heard, valued and confident contributing to research discussions and activities”.

Through initiatives such as PPI Connect 2025, Hello Hearts sessions and targeted outreach activities, Nachammai has helped create sustainable opportunities for communities to become involved in research conversations and decision-making.

Her work has also supported researchers and colleagues to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of their studies. Feedback gathered through engagement and involvement activities has informed changes to patient-facing materials, communication approaches, study design and engagement strategies across several research areas including cancer, vaccines, antimicrobial resistance and prostate cancer research.

For Nachammai, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is seeing individuals grow in confidence and become actively involved in shaping research.

“Seeing individuals progress from attending a community session for the first time to joining PPIE groups, contributing to research projects, co-presenting at conferences, or becoming part of steering groups has been especially rewarding,” she added.

Working within NIHR PPIE has further developed Nachammai’s skills and expertise in research engagement, co-production, partnership working and supporting meaningful public involvement.  Through working closely with diverse communities, researchers and healthcare professionals, she has developed skills in community engagement, co-production, partnership working, public speaking and strategic PPIE delivery.

Nachammai said: “What makes me most proud about being involved with NIHR is the opportunity to help make research more inclusive and representative of the communities it aims to serve”.

NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds showcases research excellence at UKCRF Conference in Dublin

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Colleagues from the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Leeds joined clinical research professionals from across the UK and Ireland at the UKCRF Conference in Dublin, sharing expertise, presenting research and leading discussions on the future of clinical trials.

NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds was represented by12 colleagues from a wide range of specialities, including pharmacy, dental research and patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), reflecting the multidisciplinary expertise that underpins research delivery across its five sites at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS. Two colleagues led workshops to share best practice in efficient trial set ups and the team also showcased 12 posters, highlighting innovative work taking place at NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds.

A key highlight of the conference was a keynote address from Dr Alex Churchill, Deputy Director for Clinical Trials Policy and Infrastructure Policy and International Partnerships at the Department of Health and Social Care, who outlined the Government’s ambition to make the UK a global leader in clinical research. His presentation focused on accelerating clinical trial set-up, expanding research into primary and community care settings, strengthening partnerships between the NHS, academia and industry, and creating a more research-active NHS workforce. He also highlighted the increasing role of artificial intelligence and connected data infrastructure in improving trial design, participant recruitment and research delivery.

These themes were reflected throughout the conference programme, with sessions exploring how to deliver the right research in the right setting, improve access and participation in research, harness digital and AI-enabled technologies, strengthen workforce capability, and build national and international collaborations that support faster, more inclusive clinical research. Delegates also heard examples of how streamlined processes and coordinated working across organisations are helping to reduce study set-up times and bring innovative treatments to patients more quickly.

The conference provided an excellent opportunity for the Leeds team to network, share best practice and bring back new ideas that will help further strengthen research delivery for patients across Leeds and the wider region.

Our impact: Personalised pacemaker therapy- better outcomes for patients and the NHS

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Pacemakers are life-changing devices that help people with heart disease live longer and improve their quality of life. However, despite major advances in technology, many pacemakers are still left on standard factory settings rather than being tailored to the individual needs of patients. Researchers at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF) Leeds have been leading pioneering work to show how a more personalised approach to pacemaker care can improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and deliver better value for the NHS. Through a series of NIHR-supported studies, the team has helped change the way pacemaker patients are cared for locally, nationally and internationally.

Our Goal

More than 300,000 people in the UK live with a pacemaker, with around 36,000 new devices implanted every year. Researchers wanted to better understand whether personalising pacemaker settings and combining device expertise with heart failure care could improve patients’ health and quality of life. The team also recognised that symptoms such as breathlessness and tiredness in people with pacemakers are often wrongly attributed to ageing or existing heart disease, meaning heart failure can sometimes go undiagnosed and untreated.

Our Approach

Through a series of NIHR-supported clinical trials led from the NIHR Leeds CRF, researchers explored how personalised pacemaker programming and joined-up care could improve outcomes for people living with pacemakers.

The research showed that carefully adjusting pacemaker settings to suit each individual patient could:

  • Improve heart function
  • Reduce unnecessary pacing of the heart
  • Extend pacemaker battery life
  • Reduce the need for replacement surgery
  • Improve exercise capacity and quality of life

One major study involving 1,800 patients across West Yorkshire found that around one-third of people with pacemakers had previously undiagnosed heart failure.

In response, the team developed a new multidisciplinary Combined Heart Failure and Device Clinic at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, bringing together experts in pacemakers and heart failure treatment in one service.

The clinic is staffed by highly trained cardiac physiologists and nurses and now supports more than 300 patients each year.

Real World Impact

The work also helped develop a highly skilled and diverse research workforce, including NIHR-funded clinical researchers, cardiac physiologists and clinicians.

The research has already changed care for patients in Leeds and is influencing practice internationally.

The personalised approach developed through the NIHR Leeds CRF has now been embedded into routine NHS care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust through the Combined Heart Failure and Device Clinic.

Patients are receiving more tailored treatment, helping reduce hospital admissions and improving long-term outcomes.

The work has also contributed to international heart failure and pacemaker guidelines in Canada, America and Europe, helping shape care for people with pacemakers around the world.

Importantly, the research demonstrates how personalised care can improve outcomes while also reducing pressure on the NHS by preventing complications and avoiding unnecessary procedures.

What’s Next

Researchers at NIHR Leeds CRF continue to lead new studies exploring how personalised pacemaker programming can further improve care for people with heart disease.

Upcoming research includes:

  • Exploring new pacemaker lead positions and their effect on heart function
  • Developing simpler ways to personalise heart-rate settings
  • Expanding studies across multiple NHS centres
  • Investigating how personalised programming could benefit people with less severe heart failure

The team is also continuing work to increase awareness and education around personalised pacemaker care through international guideline groups, professional societies and training programmes.

This work would not have been possible without the support of NIHR infrastructure at the NIHR Leeds CRF, helping turn research into real improvements for patients, healthcare services and society.

NIHR 20 Staff Profile: Lorna Gallacher

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Lorna Gallacher

Lorna Gallacher is a Research Nurse for Team 3 – Early Phase Oncology (First-in-Human Clinical Trials) at NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds, St James’s University Hospital. Since joining the NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds at St James’s University Hospital, Lorna Gallacher has quickly established herself within the dynamic and highly specialised field of early phase oncology research.

Working in first-in-human clinical trials, Lorna supports patients with complex and hard-to-treat cancers, helping to deliver innovative treatments at the earliest stage of clinical development. Her role places her at the forefront of research, where new therapies are tested for the first time in patients, offering hope and new possibilities where treatment options may be limited. 

Demonstrating strong commitment and dedication, Lorna achieved chemotherapy competency within just four months of joining the team — a significant milestone that reflects both her clinical expertise and adaptability in a fast-paced research environment. 

Lorna’s career continues to evolve, with a growing focus on haematology research, particularly in myeloma. This progression highlights the breadth of opportunities within research nursing and the ability to develop specialist knowledge across different clinical areas. 

Alongside her clinical role, Lorna is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of her colleagues. She has begun training as a Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) at De Montfort University, where she is developing skills to provide Restorative Clinical Supervision (RCS) — helping nurses reflect, recover and sustain their wellbeing in demanding healthcare settings. She has also been accepted to train as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA), further strengthening her ability to support a positive and healthy working environment. 

Reflecting on her experience, Lorna highlights the exciting and rewarding nature of her work: 
“Being part of early phase oncology research means I’m supporting patients at a time when treatment options may be limited, and that’s incredibly meaningful. It’s inspiring to be involved in innovative research, such as advanced therapies, that have the potential to change lives. At the same time, I’m passionate about supporting my colleagues’ wellbeing, because a strong, supported team is essential to delivering the best care for our patients.” 

Through her work, Lorna is contributing to life-changing research, including involvement in advanced therapies such as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), while also supporting both patients and colleagues — a powerful example of the impact of research nursing within the NHS. 

NIHR Clinical Research Facility Leeds showcases 20 years of research impact at International Clinical Trials Day

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International Clinical Trials Day

The NIHR Clinical Research Facility Leeds were proud to take part in the International Clinical Trials Day celebration at the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Leeds, joining colleagues, patients, and partners for a day dedicated to recognising the impact of health research. 

As part of the programme, the team delivered a presentation highlighting the work of the Clinical Research Facility and the significant advancements made over the past 20 years. The session offered an overview of how the facility supports the delivery of early-phase and experimental medicine studies, helping to translate innovative research into real improvements in patient care. 

Alongside this, the team hosted a Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation (PPIEP) stand, creating an open and welcoming space for patients, staff, and visitors to learn more about clinical research. Attendees had the opportunity to speak directly with the team, ask questions, and explore how they can get involved in shaping and participating in research. 

Through both the presentation and interactive stand, the Clinical Research Facility reinforced its commitment to advancing research through collaboration, innovation, and meaningful patient involvement.

World-leading clinical research showcased as Minister pays visit to NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility

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An image of key clinical staff and colleagues standing smiling in a line up photo with Karin Smyth MP stood in the centre outside the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility St James site.

World-leading clinical research and pioneering cancer treatment taking place in Leeds has been showcased as part of the Government’s national cancer plan roll out.  We recently welcomed Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health to St James’s University Hospital to see first-hand the cutting edge cancer trials and the innovative treatment which is being pioneered. 

An image of Professor Chris Twelves speaking with minister Karin Smyth MP in a clinical room.

The Minister had the opportunity to meet with Prof Chris Twelves, Professor of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology & Oncology and Clinical Director NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility alongside clinical research colleagues, senior clinicians and experts and partners of Leeds Teaching Hospitals who work collaboratively to deliver world-class cancer treatment to patients across Yorkshire.    

Ms Smyth heard about the diverse and expansive portfolio of clinical research, particularly rare cancers including anal cancer, myeloma and sarcoma, while visiting the state-of-the-art NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility based at the hospital.  It was the opportunity for us to share the world-leading, early-phase, experimental medicine studies taking place right here which aim to develop new treatments and healthcare therapies for the future.  

Prof Chris Twelves said: 

“We were delighted to welcome Minister Smyth to NIHR Leeds CRF recently.  It was an opportunity to demonstrate our impressive track record of delivering early phase experimental medicine trials and evaluating a range of new therapies and interventions.   Leeds St James’s CRF is just one of our five clinical research facilities co-located at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust  and it was a privilege for our team and I to talk about how we support world-class research here.”

An image of minister Karin Smyth MP with a health care professional standing talking in a hospital corridor.

The Minister also spent time in Leeds Cancer Centre, one of the most comprehensive cancer centres in the UK and home to the largest single-site radiotherapy treatment service.  It was the opportunity to shine a light on the advances in treatment of anal cancer using precision radiotherapy, which has been pioneered following research by Prof David Sebag-Montefiore, Professor of Clinical Oncology at University of Leeds and funded by Cancer Research UK.     We were delighted to share the breadth and depth of clinical research we do right here in Leeds and demonstrate the impact we’re having on our patients today and the healthcare of tomorrow.

Advanced Therapies at the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility (CRF)

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A picture of Professor Chris Twelves.

The NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Facility is helping to shape the future of healthcare. In this blog post, Prof Chris Twelves, Clinical Director at the CRF, outlines what advanced therapies are, why they matter, and how the CRF is supporting their safe and effective development for patients.

What are Advanced Therapies?

Advanced therapies or Advanced Therapies Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are umbrella terms describing treatments that work at the level of cells, tissues, or genetic material. These therapies can offer long-lasting benefits and in some cases, the potential for cure. They are already showing important benefits in people with blood cancers, but are now reaching into other areas.

“Advanced therapies represent some of the most innovative areas of modern medicine. They aim to repair, replace, or restore biological function in ways that were previously impossible. At the CRF we are supporting the development and delivery of these cutting-edge approaches to improve patient outcomes.”

Advanced therapies include:

  • Cell therapies: using living cells to prevent, treat, or cure disease
  • Gene therapies: introducing or modifying genes to address underlying causes of illness
  • Tissue-engineered therapies: using engineered tissues to repair or replace damaged structures
  • Combined or next-generation approaches: including engineered immune cells, cancer-targeting viruses, and virus-based vaccine platforms

These approaches are increasingly used to treat cancers, inherited diseases, immune disorders and other hard-to-treat conditions.

Advanced Therapy research

The CRF supports early-phase clinical trials involving advanced therapies and ATMPs. Working with colleagues, our specialist teams provide the facilities, governance and expertise to support safe delivery of complex studies.

We support ATMP trials including those involving CAR-T cell therapies and oncolytic viruses.

Extending the impact and reach of CAR-T cell therapies

In haematology, Dr Frances Seymour is leading clinical trials of CAR-T cells in multiple myeloma and Dr Jonathan Carmichael is working closely with Professor Francesco Del Galdo and the rheumatology team investigating novel immunotherapies in treating autoimmune diseases. This work is further strengthened by Hannah Newman, Lead Nurse for the St James’s University Hospital CRF, who brings extensive experience in haematology clinical trials.

Leading centre for oncolytic virus research

Over many years Leeds has played a major role in advancing oncolytic virus therapy. In trials we have given oncolytic viruses directly into tumours or intravenously, in patients with a range of different cancers and the virus given either alone or in combination with other ant-cancer treatments. Working with Prof Adel Samson, clinical and scientific partners, and commercial sponsors the CRF has supported studies that have helped shape the field.

“Key achievements include demonstrating that oncolytic viruses can be delivered intravenously, showing benefits when combined with immunotherapies and supporting studies that have produced durable tumour responses in melanoma and liver cancer.”

Our commitment

“Advanced therapies offer new hope for people with conditions that are difficult to treat. At the NIHR Leeds CRF, we are committed to accelerating the safe development of these life-changing innovations.”

Research nurse makes dream come true for Leeds United supporting CRF trial patient

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An image of a man standing on the pitch at a football ground smiling a giving two thumbs up to camera.

Senior Haematology research nurse Keri Barker-McDonald recently went the extra mile for one of her clinical trial patients by arranging a personal tour of his favourite football club.

Mark Storey, 61, who has graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is participating in a clinical trial hosted by NIHR Leeds CRF exploring new therapies for the condition and has been attending the clinic regularly since September. 

Mark is a lifelong fan of Leeds United football club but has been unable to attend matches for the past few years following his illness. Keri has been treating Mark on the trial and wanted to help him celebrate one of his biggest passions.

Keri said: “One day I was having a conversation with Mark during his weekly visits for the trial. We were talking about Leeds United as we are both big fans, and how he can’t get to matches anymore. I just went home and I was thinking how sad it was. So, I contacted Leeds United’s patient liaison officer to see if we could arrange something for him”.

An image of a man standing with thumbs up next to a wall with the Leeds United Football Club team logo and Golden text next to it reading "Welcome To Leeds United Football Club"
An image of a person giving the thumbs up in a corridor with Leeds United Football Club imagery and symbolism on the walls behind him to his left and right,

“I was surprised to hear that they were more than willing for Mark to have a day out at the stadium and they’ve been fantastic in supporting him visiting Elland Road Stadium. When I told Mark what I’d arranged, he was over the moon.”

Mark shared: “I’ve been receiving excellent care as part of the clinical trial I’m taking part in and have really got to know Keri. We’ve shared lots of stories about Leeds United and I was absolutely thrilled with the personal tour of the stadium she arranged for me. I spent the day there and managed to see the teams’ dressing rooms, had a personal tour of the grounds and the hallowed pitch itself. As a Leeds United fan, it was really a dream come true and I can’t thank Keri enough.”

We are proud of Keri’s commitment to care that reflects the very best of our values that we strive for as a research facility, focussed on supporting patients’ needs both clinical and personal. 

Collaboration at PPI Community Connect 2025 sets direction for more representative research

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A group photo of the PPIE team with the hosts for the event at the Hamara Centre, in front of a stylish neon sign that reads 'HAMARA'.

Our recent Patient Public Involvement (PPI) event was held recently at the Hamara Healthy Living Centre. The PPI Community Connect 2025 event brought together over 86 community members, along with researchers. The event was designed to explore how research can be more meaningful, representative, and inclusive, providing opportunities to share experiences, learn about ongoing studies, and discuss ways to strengthen engagement across diverse communities.

Hosted by the NIHR Leeds Clinical Research Faculty (CRF) and Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTHT) Research & Innovation department and taking place at the Hamara Healthy Living Centre in Leeds, the event brought together participants who shared experiences and ideas on improving public involvement in research.

The audience heard presentations from researchers outlining current projects, alongside personal stories from patients describing what taking part in research has meant to them.

Guests were welcomed by Dr Helen Radford, Lead for Strategic Leadership at NIHR UK CRF Network and Associate Director of Operations for LTHT Research, and Hanif Ismael, Lead for Patient Public Involvement at NIHR Leeds CRF.

An image of two volunteers with a staff member demonstrating the ECHO cardiac ultrasound machine on a volunteer in the background.

The event showcased a range of ongoing research in Leeds, covering prostate cancer, knee replacement, early detection of lung cancer, and heart health. Alongside these presentations, attendees also had the opportunity to take part in hands-on activities, including an ECHO heart scan demonstration (pictured above), which helped people better understand how research links to real clinical practice.

Contributors, Graham Holland and Imtiaz Chaudary, reflected on their own involvement in research and highlighted the importance of inclusive research.

Attendees also took part in group discussions that explored ways to strengthen engagement, widen participation among under-represented communities, and shape future research priorities.

The conversations touched on topics such as including more community-based sessions, improved multilingual materials, better use of digital and media channels, engaging people at cultural events and public spaces, providing appropriate language support, involving healthcare teams, and offering suitable incentives. and generated suggestions that will inform future initiatives.

Feedback from participants indicated that the event provided a valuable opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and think about how research and communities can work better together.

One attendee described the day as “Well run, well attended, interactive and informative”, while another said it “was useful and made me willing to engage in research and share the opportunities.”

The organisers plan to use insights from PPI Community Connect 2025 to guide ongoing work on improving patient and public involvement.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Leeds heads multi-centre trial of innovative treatment for childhood Duchenne muscular dystrophy

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An image of Edward with the care team at the NIHR Leeds CRF Children's site.

The NIHR Clinical Research Facility is playing a key role in a trial exploring a new treatment for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare and progressive muscle-wasting condition.

The GUARDIAN trial, which is being run through NIHR Clinical Research Facility at Leeds Children’s Hospital, is evaluating the long-term use of vamorolone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

DMD is a genetic condition that usually affects boys. It causes progressive muscle weakness, with restricted mobility and a shorter life expectancy.

The newly approved treatment, vamorolone aims to help children with DMD maintain muscle strength for longer, whilst reducing some of the most difficult side effects associated with existing medications.

Current recommendations for care include use of anti-inflammatory drugs that supress a patient’s immune system, called corticosteroids. They can delay disease progression but often lead to stunted growth, emotional and behavioural challenges, and other quality-of-life issues that can be difficult to manage at home and at school.

Vamorolone is an alternative corticosteroid recently approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In short term studies, it appears to offer the same benefits as current treatments, slowing decline in motor function but with fewer side effects related to growth, mood, and behaviour.

Dr Anne-Marie Childs, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Chief Investigator for GUARDIAN, said: “Having been one of the UK sites to take part in the original clinical trial of vamorolone (the Vision DMD study) we are pleased to see that vamorolone will be available for use in NHS care from April 2025. However, as with all new drugs there are many ‘unknowns’ with vamorolone’s use in clinical practice.

It is, therefore, essential to gather further data on its longer-term effectiveness and side effects which is why the GUARDIAN study is so important for both the UK and the international DMD community. We are delighted to be at the forefront of this work, as chief investigating UK site and the first to recruit to the study.” 

David Taylor and Rachel Allen’s son, Edward, aged 9, is taking part in the study. Living in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Edward uses a powered chair daily to get to school and go on trips with friends and family due to his limited mobility.

“Our experience of being on a clinical trial has been fantastic. Regular check-ups with a kind and friendly team are great and he is being cared for brilliantly. It is amazing to think that being on a clinical trial allows Edward to help others in the same position in the future.”

David and Rachel said: “By using the powered chair, Edward then has the energy to use play equipment such as swings and slides – something which he loves. Edward is a remarkable, wonderful boy. In daily life we try to ensure that Duchenne does not ‘rule the roost’.”

They added: “Our experience of being on a clinical trial has been fantastic. Regular check-ups with a kind and friendly team are great and he is being cared for brilliantly. It is amazing to think that being on a clinical trial allows Edward to help others in the same position in the future.”

“The staff at Leeds are amazing and they go out of their way to ensure you receive the best care possible. We are really fortunate to live near such a great centre for research!”