Dr Ron Zimmern, Executive Director
Ron has a distinguished career in medicine and public health and is the pioneer of public health genomics in the UK. He’s especially interested in the relationship between clinical services and teaching and research, priority setting in the NHS, and the law and ethics of medicine. He concentrates on strategic development of the Foundation and on international leadership in public health genomics, and leads the Foundation’s work on the evaluation and regulation of genetic tests and molecular biomarkers. Contact Ron | For an extended biography of Ron click here (PDF file)
Dr Hilary Burton, Programme Director
Hilary is a public health physician and has been at the forefront of public health genomics for the last ten years. She leads the Foundation team and is responsible for the content, delivery and quality of the Foundation’s work programmes. Contact Hilary
Corinna Alberg, Project Coordinator
Corinna worked in research and in the NHS as a health promotion specialist before joining PHGU in 2006. She works on the Foundation’s health projects, as well as coordinating our education activities. Contact Corinna
Dr Philippa Brice, Senior Project Manager
Philippa is a scientist with a background in research and commercial intelligence for the pharmaceutical/bioscience industry. She has led a number of projects since joining the PHGU in 2003, including work on the use of biomarkers in familial colorectal cancer screening and the use of microarrays in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. She also plays a key role in our education and knowledge management activities, and writes for the web and other media. Contact Philippa
Dr Simon Sanderson, Principal Associate
Simon is a former GP and now a public health consultant and clinical lecturer based in Cambridge University’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care. He has recently published work on genes and the use of aspirin and warfarin in treatment of heart disease; evaluation frameworks for genetic tests; and the relationship between family history of disease and perception of risk. He works three sessions a week for the Foundation, providing public health and epidemiological expertise for our projects. Contact Simon
Dr Caroline Wright, Project Manager
Caroline is a scientist, with a background in chemistry and biophysics, and experience in business consultancy within the medical devices and biotechnology industries. She is involved in several of the flagship projects, including the evaluation of genetic tests, as well as contributing to the Foundation’s other work. Contact Caroline
After completing undergraduate studies in biological science, Carol trained as a lawyer and has extensive experience in commercial practice in the fields of international trade and human rights. Contact Carol
Alison was a state registered nurse before qualifying as a solicitor and pursuing a career in law and ethics. She works on issues of regulation, research governance and consent, and made a major contribution to PHGU’s recent work on the Human Tissue Act. As well as contributing to the Foundation’s multidisciplinary projects, Alison will lead the Foundation’s work on ethical and legal issues in the clinical use of genetic tests and other predictive biomarkers. Contact Alison
Dr Mark Kroese, Principal Associate
Mark is a consultant in public health medicine at Peterborough Primary Care Trust, who is seconded part-time to the Foundation to work on the evaluation and regulation of genetic tests and biomarkers. He has been involved in the development of genetic test evaluation and its implementation for several years, and has practical experience of performing genetic test evaluations. His work with the Foundation is funded by the UK Genetic Testing Network, for whom he acts as a public health adviser. Contact Mark
Dr Alison Stewart, Principal Associate
Alison is a scientist and a science writer who has been with PHGU since 1997. She has made a particular impact on our knowledge management system, and on our education and dissemination activities. She developed our popular Genetics and Health Policy course, and our highly regarded website. She now works freelance and continues to write for our website and the e-newsletter, as well as managing Foundation projects from time to time. Contact Alison
Dr Sowmiya Moorthie, Project Coordinator
Sowmiya is a scientist with a background in biochemistry; she worked as post-doctoral researcher before moving into science policy research through an internship with the United Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS). She contributes to health and policy projects and assists with the Foundation’s other work. Contact Sowmiya