Our Research Strategy Board
Our Research Strategy Board (RSB) advises our Board of Trustees on all things relating to research best practice. This includes policies and practices relating to our Research Strategy and activities, plus those which concern reviewing and awarding research grants. Members of the RSB advise the charity on matters regarding intellectual property rights, data sharing, ethics, patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in research.
The RSB typically meets twice a year, with engagement between meetings as and when necessary.
Matthew Sharman, Chair
Matthew has been involved in government and industry funded research and development (R&D) studies relating to food safety, quality, and nutrition for over 35 years. As a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Food Science and Technology he has extensive experience in the reliable measurement and control of both food and clinical samples.
Having been diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2023, Matthew decided to look into the challenges of managing this condition. This led to becoming a member of Coeliac UK and furthered a direct interest as to how a portfolio of R&D can help with meeting the key aims of the charity.
Other members of the Research Strategy Board
Dr Alastair Dunne
Alastair completed his medical degree and general practice training in New Zealand and has worked internationally for a number of years. Whilst based in Abu Dhabi during the pandemic, he was diagnosed with coeliac disease – much to his surprise! He relocated to the UK in 2021 to complete an MBA at the University of Cambridge. He is now based in London working on preventative medicine start-up ideas, non-government organisation board work and contracts for a New Zealand government department.
Professor Julia Gog OBE
Professor of Mathematical Biology, University of Cambridge, and Fellow of Queens’ College, Cambridge. Diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2017.
Louise Hawkes
Louise works as a project manager in clinical development of new medicines. She has a BSc in Biology & Statistics, a PGDip in Clinical Sciences, and has worked in the pharmaceutical sector for 30 years. Her 16 year old son was diagnosed with coeliac disease during the COVID lockdown and her involvement with the Research Strategy Board is prompted by both scientific and personal experience. Helping a teenager to adjust to a new lifestyle, and educating those around us and further afield is proving challenging and she would like to support the critical work that Coeliac UK do, providing education and information, supporting essential research and also advocating for new treatments and care for coeliac patients.
Dr Claire Lavin
Claire is a freelance scientific consultant and medical writer with a background in the pharmaceutical industry, medical communications and academia. She has a PhD in immunology and biochemistry and is interested in coeliac disease from both a scientific and personal perspective. She has been a member of Coeliac UK since being diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2014.
Dr Katharine Reeves
After completing her PhD in Economics, Katharine joined the Health Informatics Research Team at University Hospitals Birmingham as a Statistician. She works with both academics and clinicians to answer specific research questions using routinely collected hospital data. Katharine is a member of Coeliac UK having been diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2019.
Richard Cornford
Richard Cornford is a global head of pipeline assets for Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic diseases at AstraZeneca. Richard has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 30 years and has extensive expertise in multiple disease areas in
research, development and commercialisation for innovative and life enhancing medicines. He has lived and worked in many countries around the world and has worked extensively with multiple patient charities and government organisations to help
change policy and enhance availability and access to new treatments for patients.
Richard is interested in coeliac disease from both a scientific and personal perspective since both himself and his teenage son have been diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2022 in 2023 respectively. Richard has been a member of Coeliac UK since 2022. Richard aims to use his skills and experience to support the goals of the charity’s Research Strategy Board. He is particularly keen to continue to advance diagnosis of coeliac disease and help support research and development into finding new medicines to improve patients’ lives and ultimately see a world without coeliac disease.
