Staff Profile

I am a clinical academic and the focus of my research is to improve the lives of patients living with motor neuron disease (MND). MND is a neurodegenerative disease for which there are currently no effective treatments.The aim of my research lab is to investigate why motor neurons die in MND and try to develop treatments for this devastating disease. My research group use stem cells from patients and turn them into motor neurons. This allows us to study the mechanisms which contribute to neuronal loss as well as test different drugs to see if treatment can stop this cell death from happening.

Teaching is fundamental to research, and I am passionate about training the next generation. In research, in my lab I supervise a post-doctoral researcher, two PhD students and three clinical academic trainees.

I completed an M.A. Clinical Education at the UCL Institute of Education, London (2014). Clinically, I worked as a lecturer on the PassPACES course (2011-19) as well as bedside and PACES teaching on the wards. As chair of the Association of British Neurologist Trainees (ABNT) I led the development of the ABN mentoring scheme. I have examined the Year 4 Medical Students at Newcastle University.

I am now the Academic Strand lead for MBBS, part of the NHIP Academy leadership for training and I sit on national committees to improve clinical academic training.

• Articles

  • Devine H, Bhatnagar P, Chambers A, Ledingham D, Bolton C, Reynolds G, Rayner F, Griffiths TD. Bright ears on MRI: An imaging clue to relapsing polychondritis-Associated encephalopathy. Practical Neurology 2025, 25, 84-86.