Kent and Medway Medical School

Professor Chris Holland is the Founding Dean of Kent and Medway Medical School. He has an extensive career in medicine and medical education, working with the national education bodies, the General Medical Council and Local Enterprise Partnerships. He was awarded his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from Queen’s University Belfast in 1997 and went on to gain a Master’s Degree in Medical Education from the University of Warwick. He is currently completing a Doctorate in Education at King’s College London. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Faculty of Intensive Care, and the Academy of Medical Educators. He was an elected member of the National Council of the Academy of Medical Educators and led the Academy’s Equality and Diversity Group. Professor Holland joined KMMS from the University of Surrey where he was a Professorial Teaching Fellow and Director of Learning and Teaching for Medicine, responsible for learning and teaching and student experience for Medicine at the University. He works as a Consultant in General Adult Intensive Care Medicine at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. “Setting up a new medical school for Kent and Medway is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference and create something unique which will prepare a new generation of medical graduates for the NHS of the 21st Century.”

Prior to joining Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS), Dr Romito worked at Imperial College London where she was the curriculum development lead for the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, a new medical school in Singapore which is also a partnership school between two universities. As Undergraduate Programme Director for KMMS she has overall responsibility for the degree programme including curriculum design, delivery and student experience throughout the course. Studied medicine at: University of Bristol. “Having been involved in teaching since I was an undergraduate I look forward to inspiring the next generation of doctors – and for KMMS students to thrive within our new school.”

Tushar graduated from Guys & St Thomas’ medical school and worked throughout South East England before becoming a consultant paediatric intensivist at Kings College Hospital NHS Trust. She previously worked in undergraduate assessment and medical fitness to practise before realising her passion for academic support. She developed her skills through various roles in the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, where she is the national lead for Special Interest modules for general paediatricians and runs the College’s preparation course for their OSCE exam. She is also Vice Chair of the START assessment, a formative assessment of the non-technical skills required for consultant practice. Her ethos is to support staff and students to achieve their potential. She takes a coaching approach to help individuals crystallise issues and develop solutions in a supportive and constructive environment. Tushar was first attracted to KMMS because of its vibrant and diverse community; she and hopes to bring her enthusiasm and ability to deliver changes through gentle and clear leadership and to support strong collaboration with staff and students alike.

Dr Popoola is a GP Educator at Kent and Medway Medical School, where she supports the development and delivery of the primary care component of the BM BS programme. Since graduating from medical school in 2008, she has been passionate about promoting community healthcare. She has established clinics and promoted teaching within rural communities in Nigeria in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations. In the UK, she has advanced her interest in teaching and has remained actively involved in primary care and medical education. Dr Popoola currently works as a portfolio GP in Faversham and is a KUMEC tutor/OSCE examiner for King’s College London. Her GP role includes campus and placement teaching for students across diverse undergraduate programmes. She is a facilitator on the East Kent first5 GP group and mentors young people aspiring to study Medicine. She has an interest in Ophthalmology as a GP with an extended role.

Alex is a Registered Nurse and joined KMMS in August 2023. She is on secondment from CCCU where she is the Faculty Director of Practice Learning, Alex has been immersed in Undergraduate education for health and social care professionals for many years both as a Programme Director and Senior Lecturer teaching on a variety of modules. She has extensive experience in curriculum development, quality assurance of programmes and the management of Fitness to Practise across the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care. She has also been responsible for the implementation and management of the Raising and Escalating Concerns Policy and Procedure and is passionate about encouraging students to speak up and be heard.

Clinical Lecturer - Educational Supervisor

Aman Rattan is a Research Assistant, working with Professor Lisa Dikomitis, who leads on a GNCA and ODA funded project, entitled Engaging local communities around perceptions and understandings of mental health interventions in South Asia (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). She also works on KMMS mental health research with the Kent Sikh community, co-led by Professor Lisa Dikomitis and Professor Sukhi Shergill. Aman is a Sikh and Punjabi speaking mental health researcher. She has worked as an Assistant Psychologist and Mental Healthcare Assistant in London, accumulating professional clinical knowledge and working alongside healthcare professionals. Aman completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of West London (2021), achieving a First Class Honours. Her undergraduate thesis used quantitative survey research methods to investigate The BIG 5 personality traits relationship with Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Depression, Anxiety and Stress. She also holds a Postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London (2022), passing with distinction. Her postgraduate thesis used qualitative methods to thematically understand the coping, adjustment and resilience of males in higher education.

Dr Alifrangis is a General Practitioner with an interest in Sport and exercise medicine and Women’s Health. She qualified as a GP at University College London in 2011, and has worked as a GP in both NHS and private settings, urgent care, and as a volunteer medic for running events such as the London Marathon. She has additional postgraduate qualifications in womens health, and MSc in Sport medicine and exercise health. Dr Alifrangis is passionate about preventative medicine, holistic care and wellbeing.

Dr Amit Saha trained as an undergraduate at King’s College London and during this time completed his MBBS, BSc (Pharmacology) and was awarded the status of Associate of King’s College London. Dr Saha has had extensive training in all aspects of Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine. This has included training at the Professorial unit at King’s College Hospital and at the Louise Coote Lupus unit at St Thomas’. During this time, Dr Amit Saha was awarded an MSc in Rheumatology (Distinction), an MA in Education and won a Bursary for his research which was based on measuring disease activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Dr Amit Saha has GMC specialist accreditation in Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine and is a Consultant Rheumatologist (Clinical Lead) for both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals. Dr Saha has developed a keen interest in education and was a London Deanery sponsored Fellow in Medical Education. Currently, he is the Foundation Year 2 programme Director for his Trust.

Ana graduated in Pharmaceutical Sciences by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, in 2006. After that, she completed a MSc in Quality Control, followed by a PhD in Pharmacology/Toxicology, both in the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto. During her PhD, she looked at the influence of genetic variability on the effect of opioids used in palliative care (cancer patients). Additionally, during this time Ana had started teaching a broad range of subjects, including pharmacology, forensics toxicology and laboratory methods. Once she was awarded a PhD, she moved to England in 2014 to start a teaching and learning focused career. Since then, Ana has been deeply involved in medical education teaching, curriculum development and assessment of medical biosciences. From 2014 to January 2020, she was an Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, where she also acted as Graduated Entry Medicine Course and Problem based Learning lead for approximately, three years. Her passion for medical education, teaching and curriculum development drove her to move to Kent and Medway Medical School in February 2020.

Dr Feazey is an Emergency Medicine consultant at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals. She qualified in 1990 from Guy’s Hospital and worked as an Emergency Medicine registrar in London and Australia before taking her consultant appointment in MTW. Dr Feazey has significant experience in both undergraduate and postgraduate education, having been training programme director for Kent, Surrey and Sussex. She has also had an extensive role in departmental management and patient safety. Dr Feazey commenced her role in 2024 as Senior Lecturer in KMMS.

Avril is a GP working in Ramsgate and GP fellow in Coastal Deprivation at KMMS. She completed the Greater Manchester Deprivation GP training program, which had a focus on training GPs to deliver good quality healthcare in the context challenges and complexities of deprivation. Prior to this she was an Obstetrics and Gynaecology trainee in the North West and completed foundation training at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Avril undertook an intercalated Masters in Public Health as a student and also has a BSc(hons) in Anatomical Sciences. During the fellowship she is looking forward to learning more about how social determinants influence health in coastal settings.

After graduating in Sport Science and Physical Education at the University of Leon (Spain). Borja subsequently completed an MSc in Sport Science for Optimal Performance at the University of Kent (UK) and was awarded a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science from the same institution. In his previous postdoctoral roles at the University of Kent and the University of Bologna (Italy), he provided research expertise in the field of physical and cognitive testing, with a focus on strategies to improve endurance performance, and resistance to fatigue. In September 2024, Borja joined the Kent and Medway Medical School as a Research Associate to work on a research project led by Professor Sukhwinder Shergill, aiming to explore the dynamic relationship between circadian biomarkers, sleep, cognition, and mental health. He has provided sport science support not only to various athletes competing at international endurance events including Ironman World Championships, Marathon Des Sables, Tor des Geants, and The Atlantic Rowing Challenge, but also international professional teams in various disciplines, such as cycling (UCI ProTeam), football (EFL League One), and motorsports (Rally Dakar). He has done sport science consultancy work for companies, such as ASICS and SCARPA.

Cath Bruce is a GP Partner in Tunbridge Wells. She trained at University College London, completing an intercalated BSc. in History of Medicine, and then went on to complete her GP training in Milton Keynes. In addition to working as a GP Partner for many years, she has also worked as Clinical Lead for a charity for contraception and well being for young people. She will be working one and half days a week for the Medical School, alongside her General Practice work.

Cathy is a Registered Nurse in Learning Disability and has substantial practice experience with people with complex and profound disabilities. She has been teaching in Higher Education for over 20 years and has developed particular interests in the use of the social model of disability, neurodiversity, and in the participation of people with learning disabilities and/ or autism in teaching. Her interests in human diversity are broad, and she is a champion of equality and inclusion.

Reader in Medical Education

Dr Doris Nweze, graduated from her Medical school in Nigeria in 2000. She came to the UK in 2002 where she did her Foundation years one and two. She has done jobs in Medicine, Surgery and obstetrics and gynaecology and obtained diplomas in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Women’s Health. She has been in HIV/GUM Specialty for over 10 years. Through out these years, Doris has been involved in teaching medical students in her clinics.

GP Educator Team

Ghazala Aziz has joined KMMS as a Teaching Fellow in Anatomy. She is a lifelong learner with a profound passion for teaching anatomy. Her primary objective is to present the subject in innovative and enjoyable ways. Ghazala infuses her teaching with a touch of creativity, breathing life into her topics (or characters) through self-made doodles and storytelling in the form of medical poetry. Her overarching goal is to engage learners of all types, fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Dr Bintley is a Doctor and Senior Lecturer at KMMS having previously worked as a Senior Lecturer at Barts and The London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. Dr Bintley achieved a medical degree from the University of Manchester in 2008, an MA in Medical Education from UCL/ IOE in 2019 and she is a Senior Fellow of the HEA. She is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Kent.

James is a GP in East Kent. He trained in the East Kent Vocational Training Scheme. He completed his medical degree at Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia and gained an MSc in Evolutionary Medicine from Durham University. He has previously worked teaching medical students at Durham University on the Medicine in the Community stream. He completed a PGCert in Medical Education at the University of Dundee.

Lead for Mental Health

Joel is a senior lecturer, and the academic lead for year two, within the Kent and Medway Medical School. Joel is a graduate of King’s College London, where he studied neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience. Joel is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy [FHEA] [Advance HE] and also holds membership with the Academy of Medical Educators [MAcadMEd]. In addition, Joel is an External Examiner for the BMedSci programme at the University of Nottingham, School of Medicine.

Julia was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy (Thomistic Virtue Theory: Medicine and Education) from the Queen’s University of Belfast in 2008 after which she carried out post-doctoral work in Clinical Ethics at QUB and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust while holding the position of Hon Clinical Ethicist; she subsequently took up the appointment of Assistant Professor in Medical Ethics and Law at the University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus, (2012-2019) where she taught on St George’s Graduate Entry Medical Programme and was instrumental in creating the strategic vision for ethics in a new successful 6-year degree in medicine at the University of Nicosia. In addition, she taught on the MSc in Family Medicine and worked as a Fitness to Practice Investigating Officer. Her interest in pedagogy, especially teaching through narrative, led to the completion of the PGCert in Biomedical & Healthcare Education with St George’s University of London in 2015. She has worked with the General Medical Council since 2019 as a Regional Liaison Associate and delivers workshops in Medical Ethics, Law and Professionalism to International Medical Graduates and locally trained doctors. She sits on the accreditation panel for undergraduate Medical Education at the Irish Medical Council and is visiting Associate Professor and external examiner of dissertations at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for the MSc in Healthcare Ethics and Law. She holds the position of Independent Ethics Advisor at East Kent University Hospitals Trust and is a member of 3 NHS Clinical Ethics Committees. Her current, former post, national and international external activity have all bestowed her with an in-depth insight into three different medical jurisdictions (GMC, IMC, Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA, recognised by (WFME) World Federation for Medical Education. She has experience of 12 different curricula both national and international. She has shaped the KMMS curriculum, from its inception, in her specialist fields of Medical Ethics, Law, Professionalism, Human Rights, Equality and Diversity and Medical Humanities. She has also collaboratively created the strategic vision for our Student Life and Guidance Service which includes overseeing the Personal Academic Tutor and Clinical Academic Tutor services. She has  been Fitness to Study and Practice lead since 2020 and is external F2P panelist for Brighton Sussex Medical School. The overarching objective of her 20-year career has been to contribute to enhancing the care of patients, in the most fragile moments of life, through developing and providing high-quality education in her specialist areas and solid pastoral care for medical students while they develop their professional identity.

Dr Neden is a GP in Ramsgate. She has worked in medical education as a GP trainer and teaching prospective GP trainers. Kate has been an examiner with the Royal College of General Practitioners since 1997. Her portfolio career as a GP has included working with both Pilgrims’ hospices and Macmillan to develop primary care palliative care. She is a Clinical Advisor for NHS England and a member of the RCGP Council. Kate trained in Medicine in Cambridge and Oxford

Katie Cartledge is a GP working in East Kent. She trained at the University of Leeds, completing a BSc. in International Health and completed her GP training in Leeds. She then worked as a GP in an international clinic in Rwanda whilst working as a lecturer at the University of Rwanda for 3 years. She will be working 2 1/2 days for KMMS alongside continuing her General Practice work.

Katie is a consultant in GU/HIV medicine with a strong interest in education and is delighted to be part of the KMMS team.

Dr Stone is a GP Partner on the Medway Peninsula. She graduated from Oxford, initially working as a junior doctor in ENT. However, she found that she liked talking to patients and taking a more holistic view of their care. In 2004 she joined the GP training scheme in Medway has been working as a GP since 2007. She has maintained an interest in ENT.

Lalida qualified from University of Leeds Medical School, and trained in Paediatrics prior to general practice and later developed a special interest in dermatology and education. She is now a GP and GP educator in Canterbury, with an interest in teaching junior doctors and medical students.

Lara is passionate about improving health outcomes for marginalised and disadvantaged peoples. She has completed her medical degree in the UK at Imperial College London. Prior to this she obtained a Master’s degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has completed a Diploma in Travel Medicine and has endeavoured to integrate her clinical career with her enthusiasm for academic medicine.

Director of the Centre for Health Services Studies and Professor of Medical Anthropology and Social Sciences PhD, PGCert, MA, BA, BA (Hons), SFHEA

Mr Cornell trained at Southampton Medical School (1982-1987) and then worked in Bournemouth, Basingstoke and Winchester before starting his surgical training in Canterbury in 1989. He has been based in this area throughout his Higher Surgical Training on the Guy’s & St Thomas Orthopaedic Training Circuit. A Fellowship year in Sydney, Australia was followed by appointment to East Kent Hospitals in 1999 as Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with Special Interest in Paediatric Orthopaedics. Mr Cornell has now retired from full time NHS work, but continues to support the Urgent Care Centre in Whitstable.

Melika is an enthusiastic and adaptable individual seeking an academic career in digital mental health, neuroscience, and human computer interaction with hands-on experience in psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Melissa Jones is the Head of Anatomy at KMMS, formally a Senior Lecturer. Prior to joining KMMS, Melissa worked as Lecturer in Anatomy at the Barts and London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London. In June 2022, Melissa was awarded her PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Melissa has dedicated her career to studying the human body and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with students.

Melvyn trained at Barts, then as an Anaesthetist and Critical Care physician in Wales. He worked in Cardiff, including a MSc in Medical Education, before relocating to the William Harvey Hospital in 2022. As the first person in his family to go to University, Melvyn is passionate about the opportunities education can offer.

Michael graduated from medical school in Egypt in 2003 and finished his training program for Medicine and nephrology in Egypt then in Saudi Arabia. He arrived to the UK in 2015 and fulfilled CCT, after which he has been working as a renal consultant physician at Mid and South Essex university hospitals since 2018. Michael has also been working as a medical examiner with different NHS trusts and East of England network dialysis Lead. He has subspecialty interest in chronic kidney disease, dialysis and interventional nephrology. Michael has finished multiple research based studies in nephrology (MD, MSc), medical education (PgCert &MSc) and business administration (MBA).

Mr Dey commenced his ophthalmic training in the West Midlands before embarking on his higher surgical training in London. He undertook Fellowships in Medical Retina/Uveitis and Medical Education at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital and at UCL Medical School where he was involved in both undergraduate and postgraduate education in ophthalmology. During this time he obtained a Diploma of Medical Education and received UCL Medical Education Award and Moorfields Star Awards for his contribution to Medical Education. He is currently a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Maidstone with a keen interest in medical education and learning. He regularly examines at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and trains junior ophthalmologists cataract surgery. Mr Dey regularly lectures at various seminars and courses and in involved in training ophthalmology issues to a wide range of various healthcare professionals.

Natalie has a background within health and education, working across secondary and higher education institutions (HEI), clinical trial units, NHS Trusts, and subsidiaries. Before joining KMMS, Natalie held positions within research trial coordination, and as an executive and governance officer, facilitating clinical trial setup and management, and operational and strategic support. She has completed, an undergraduate in Mathematics and an MSc in Medical Statistics at the University of Leicester. Natalie has travelled extensively, including across Australia, where she undertook roles within c-suite support and HEI restructuring, and completed a 4500km unsupported charity cycle ride from Perth to Sydney, as well as consulted on the successful Teach Us Consent curriculum reform initiative.

Olivia studied Medicine and Surgery as an Undergraduate at the University of Aberdeen. During her intercalated year she trained as a professional actor and singer at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and studied her first Masters degree, gaining a Distinction. Anatomy and its practical applications, most notably in surgery, were a fascination of Olivia’s and the transferance of knowledge was something she really enjoyed whilst at medical school. This led her to study a second Masters degree, Human Anatomy with Education, at the University of Sheffield which she obtained with Distinction. Besides for her love of anatomy and medical education and her flare for performing arts, Olivia is an avid swimmer and enjoys yoga and all forms of dance.

Owen was appointed as a Consultant Physician and Geriatrician at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust in 2019. He is currently the Frailty lead at the trust and he has been influential in the development of the Acute Frailty services in West Kent. He is passionate about offering high quality care for older people and believes this can be best achieved by improving medical education in Elderly Medicine for both medical students and doctors in training.

Dr Pamela Leventis is the Clinician Lead for Clinical and Professional Skills vertical theme at KMMS. She provides clinical leadership in the development and implementation of the campus-based Skills for Clinical Practice Modules in years 1 and 2 and the further acquisition and consolidation of clinical skills throughout years 3 to 5. Pamela is Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators and has broad experience in both undergraduate and postgraduate education. During her training, she completed the London Deanery Fellowship in Medical Education and attained the MA in Clinical Education. Dr Leventis was a Senior Clinical Lecturer at St George’s University of London, where she was also module convenor and musculoskeletal clinical skills lead. She worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary faculty to deliver the innovative MBBS4 for St George’s, University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Her previous role as Foundation Year 1 Training Programme Director provided invaluable insights into the demands placed upon junior doctors and the importance of preparedness for practice at graduation. Pamela is the undergraduate curriculum lead for Long-Term Conditions teaching at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals (MTW). She leads the annual MTW ‘Careers in Medicine’ event to promote widening participation in medical careers across all West Kent secondary schools.

Peter is a Community Paediatrician and the Clinician Lead for Clinical and Professional Skills vertical theme at KMMS. He provides clinical leadership in the development and implementation of the campus-based Skills for Clinical Practice Modules in years 1 and 2 and the further acquisition and consolidation of clinical skills throughout years 3 to 5.

Dr Philip Chan joined KMMS in June after a long career at the University of Sheffield, and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust as Clinical Director of Vascular service and Director of Medical Education. He also had a distinguished career as a consultant vascular surgeon most recently at The Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. Philip has a strong track-history in research and has had an active involvement in admissions research. His current responsibilities in KMMS are to lead selection and admissions, and to oversee our goals in widening participation in medical careers. Studied medicine at: University of Cambridge “This is a huge opportunity to do things better than I’ve ever seen before, and to make a new medical school that is both diverse and innovative.”

Sam works as a researcher and project manager at the University of Kent focused on health humanities projects and the role of media, narrative, and creative practice in enhancing health and wellbeing. They hold a master’s degree in film and came to academia after an extensive career working across media and creative industries marketing, PR and events and film production for renowned global brands including National Geographic Television and Film, Discovery Networks Europe, Beggars Group and Sid Gentle Films.

Sarah Johns is an evolutionary anthropologist with a doctorate from the University of Bristol. Prior to this she completed an MPhil (Cantab. MSc equivalent) in biological anthropology at the University of Cambridge and a BA (hons) in anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. With expertise in human sexual behaviour, and women’s reproductive health and well-being, her teaching and research are right at the nexus of medically-aligned social science. Her subject leadership is recognised nationally and she has acted as external examiner at UCL, Bristol, Durham, and Oxford. She also has extensive higher education leadership experience having held the position of Associate Dean at the University of Kent for a five-year period, where she led the development of the student experience, employability, and admissions strategies across the Faculty of Social Sciences

Scarpa Schoeman is Reader in Medical Education and Assessment Lead at KMMS. He graduated as a medical doctor in 2000 with an MBChB degree from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. In response to his keen interest in and passion for medical education, he specialised in this niche area and completed his postgraduate (PG) certificate (2007), PG diploma (2009) and Masters degree in Medical Education (M.MEd) in 2010 from the Centre for Medical Education (CME) at Dundee University, UK. In 2015, he completed his PhD in Health Professions Education (Assessment and Standard setting) from the University of the Free State, RSA. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK and is a General Medical Council (GMC) reviewer for the clinical and professional skills assessments of UK medical schools for the UK’s national Medical Licencing Assessment (MLA). Previously he was Director of Undergraduate Medical Education at the Wits Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits University, RSA. He is also an assessment consultant to support the development of medical schools in South Africa. His clinical interests and practice are in Emergency Medicine. Outside of work he is a keen supporter of rugby, golf, and cricket.

Dr Cooke is a GP and Senior Lecturer at KMMS having previously worked as a Clinical Senior Lecturer at Barts and The London Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London. Dr Cooke studied Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School (now Imperial). She achieved her Masters in Clinical Education from IOE/UCL in 2014. Dr Cooke is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is currently an EdD student at UCL.

Soban completed his medical degree (MBBS) and MPhil (Clinical Pharmacology) from Pakistan. He worked in hospital as medical registrar in department of medicine. During working in hospital, he got interest in research especially in type 2 diabetes. To excel in research, he got opportunity to study in University of Liverpool-UK from where he obtained his PhD degree in Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology. He later worked in Imperial College London as Clinical Pharmacology Lead. He has vast experience of Teaching and Research and published papers in national and international journals. He is also Fellow of higher education academy (FHEA) and academy of medical educators (FAcadMEd). His main research interests revolve around drugs-induced metabolic syndrome including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. He worked mainly on antipsychotic and anticancer drugs and interested in exploring other drugs leading to metabolic syndrome.

Sobia is a consultant Endocrinologist in London, working at three sites, Darent Valley hospital (NHS), Lewisham hospital (NHS) and BMI Sloane hospital (circle health group hospital, private) providing specialist service to Endocrine patients in a clinical setting. She completed her training in General internal medicine (GIM) Diabetes and Endocrinology (D&E) from Kent, Surrey and Sussex deanery in 2019. She worked as a full time substantive consultant in both GIM and D&E capacity at Kings college NHS foundation trust from 2019-2022 before taking on her current posts. Prior to this she completed her core medical training from North Wales deanery and enjoyed living in beautiful North Wales near Snowdonia. She undertook her foundation years in Southeast London, under South Thames deanery. She is passionate about her speciality and enjoys every challenge that it brings. Sobia often sought for an opportunity to teach alongside her clinical work and now starting as an associate lecturer in a medical school creates that perfect balance.

Dr Soumen Saha lives in Canterbury with his wife who is herself a GP and their 3 young daughters, all of whom keep him on his toes whilst enriching his perspective. He has worked in Palliative Medicine for many years, including that as Consultant at Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent and now at the Ellenor hospice in Gravesend. His career passions are primarily that of providing high quality, well-coordinated patient care, using evidence based medicine as well as research and teaching the next generation of doctors, upon whose skills and compassion, we will depend. Outside of work, Soumen has completed the London Marathon on 3 occasions (raising money for the Bobby Moore Fund, part of Imperial Cancer Research on one occasion). during what he describes as a “previous life”. He is a huge football and cricket fan, a devoted follower of Liverpool FC.

Professor of Psychiatry

Swarupa is currently an ST4 Dr in Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, dual training in general adult and old age psychiatry. She completed her Medical training at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. She completed her core training in Kent, Surrey, Sussex Deanery and has spent time out of training working in CAMHS and liaison before returning to training. She is a keen advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Taiwo Ladapo is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education and the Specialty Lead for Year 4 Paediatrics at the KMMS. She holds an MSc in Clinical Education from the Queens University, Belfast, UK and is keen to contribute to the education of the next generation of medical students. She was a Lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, where she was involved in various aspects of undergraduate medical education before relocating to the UK. She currently practises as a Consultant Paediatrician at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Dr Taiwo Ladapo is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education and the Specialty Lead for Year 4 Paediatrics at the KMMS. She holds an MSc in Clinical Education from the Queens University, Belfast, UK, and is keen to contribute to the education of the next generation of medical students. She was a Lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, where she was involved in various aspects of undergraduate medical education before relocating to the UK in 2016. She currently practices acute paediatrics at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.

Tom grew up in Canterbury before studying at St. Bart’s and The Royal London Hospital Medical School. After training rotations throughout London he carried out research at the Prion Unit, Queen Square. He completed Neurology and Stroke training in Yorkshire before returning to Kent as a Consultant Neurologist and Stroke Physician in 2012.

Uche had his undergraduate medical education with the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria proceeding to have postgraduate training with the University of Nottingham. He completed a Masters in Medical (clinical) education before progressing on to pursue a PhD, outside his clinical commitments, in medical (higher) education. His clinical background is in thoracic and trauma surgery.

Dr Gashi graduated from the University of Southampton, School of Medicine in 2011. He then completed his postgraduate training at the Wessex and KSS Deaneries. More recently Dr Gashi completed his PgCert, PgDip and his MSt in Medical Education at the University of Cambridge. He currently works a Senior NHS Doctor at the Dartford UTC and as a Fellow at the KMMS.