Research roles
Meet some of our colleagues in research and development and the ways they became involved in the field.
Focus on Lauren Sach, Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP)
Here are the highlights of my journey to become a Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP).
- May 2016 – Started working for the trust as a ward hostess.
- May 2018 – Started a new role in the health records library.
- June 2019 – Started a new role as a research assistant.
- March 2020 – Covid-19 began.
- March 2022 – Appointed as a band five research assistant and started my clinical research practitioner (CRP) accreditation.
- August 2023 – I became a fully certified CRP.
- October 2023 – Started health and social degree with the OU?
- May 2024 – I became a CRP advocate.
If you want to read my full journey, check it out in the drop-down below.
Focus on Beena Saji, Research Midwife
Here are the highlights of my journey to become a Research midwife.
- 2010 — worked as a nurse and midwife in India and the Middle East.
- Pre 2016 — worked at Barts Health NHS Trust in London.
- 2016 to present — I joined Basildon Hospital as a Clinical research practitioner (CRP).
- 2024 — I joined the research team as a Research quality facilitator bringing research trials in obstetrics and gynaecology. I engage with all healthcare professionals in this sector and support women and birthing people who want to take part in research. It's my privilege to be the liaison between patient and organisaitons, provide information and counsel our participants.
If you want to read my full journey, check it out in the drop-down below.
Read Lauren’s full journey
I started my journey within the NHS, in 2016, after finishing three years at catering college. I was never someone who grew up knowing what they wanted to be, I was very happy just going with the flow. I’d spent months applying for jobs, working in various cafés and hotels, but I couldn’t find anything that I really loved.
In May 2016, I started my first role within the NHS – a ward hostess. I worked on Danbury ward predominantly, I built lifelong friendships with the nurses and healthcare assistant on there. I loved the rewarding sensation I felt when coming on shift, I was able to make someone’s day by the smallest of gestures. – like remembering how a patient liked their tea in the morning. As much as I loved this role and the people I worked with, there was still something missing.
I took myself travelling for six weeks, toured the East Coast of Australia, making unforgettable memories.
The day I flew to Sydney, I interviewed for my next position – a health records clerk. I started this role in May 2018. This role taught me the ins and outs of the patient record system, the backbone to Broomfield Hospital. I visited places within the hospital I didn’t even know existed, but now I can guide patients/visitors and staff members to every inch of the hospital.
In June 2019 I was appointed into the research team as a research assistant. My main duties were admin based, meeting and greeting participants at reception and general stationary duties. It wasn’t long until I realised, I had hit the jackpot on finding a well-established and highly skilled team to be a part of. We were then unfortunately hit with the big C word – Covid-19.
My role changed dramatically, but it was all for the better. I had to adapt my role to fit the needs of the service and my team during very hard times, and I cannot thank my colleagues enough for their support. Before I knew it, I was swabbing hundreds of people a day, learning to take blood and being given ECG’s to read.
In March 2022, I interviewed to be a research assistant, working towards becoming accredited Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP). This wasn’t as plane sailing as it seemed initially, purely because I didn’t have a degree. It became apparent that this was going to be quite a stumbling block in relation to progressing within my role. It took a lot I finally became a fully accredited CRP in August 2023.
What is a CRP? - Clinical Research Practitioners (CRPs) are a vital part of the research workforce. They work in research delivery roles that have a patient/participant facing element within clinical environments and other health and social care settings
So as that door started to close, another door opened, and I was given the opportunity to start studying again – in October 2023 I started studying towards my health and social care degree. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be saying that I am working towards a degree, and to say that I have finished part one of two of the first year. The support and courage from my colleagues, immediate and distant, will never go unnoticed.
Every day my role is forever changing and adapting, no two days are the same and that is what I love. With the current changes coming into place, I am excited to develop not just my role but the CRP role in general, locally and nationally. In May 2024 I was appointed to be a CRP Advocate at Broomfield Hospital, working alongside other CRPs at MSE to build a bigger and better workforce.
What is a CRP advocate? - CRP Advocates are volunteers who work with their Local Clinical Research Network (LCRN) and the CRP engagement lead(s) to ensure their organisation understand that CRPs are crucial to delivering clinical research, working alongside nurses and others to deliver safe, ethical and high-quality clinical research care.
The plan going forward is to continue my studying, even if it might take me another 5 years – but once I start something I have to finish it. Our R&D team, across MSE (Broomfield, Basildon and Southend) are heading for change over the next few months, which will only benefit the service. There is a 5-year strategy in place, looking at ways to provide better care for the future through Research. Exciting opportunities within our team and be able to bring all 3 research groups from Broomfield, Basildon and Southend which will only improve our Research delivery.
I am super excited for what the future holds, and for anyone reading this thinking they haven’t quite found their niche, if you work hard and take every opportunity given to you, you will find it.
Thank you to our CPD team for providing the opportunity to progress with my degree, and a massive thank you to our Lead Research Nurse, Tracey Camburn, who continues to encourage and support me with developing my role.
Read Beena's full journey
Currently, I work as a Research specialist midwife at Southend Hospital, with a background in nursing and midwifery. I joined the Trust in 2016, after having worked at Barts Health NHS Trust in London. My prior experiences include working as a nurse and midwife in India and the Middle East.
With my extensive nursing background, I have always been passionate about caring for high-risk pregnant people. Over the years, I have observed significant changes in care and practice. I began my journey at this Trust as a clinical midwife and took the opportunity to purse a Master’s in midwifery. The increasing complexity of pregnancies, combined with my diverse experience, deepened my desire to focus on research, and the process involved in developing evidence-based research that guide best clinical care.
My primary responsibility is to facilitate research trials in obstetrics and gynaecology across the Mid and South Essex (MSE) region, serving the needs of our local service users. I collaborate closely with university, sponsors, and other hospitals, as well as internally with pathology and pharmacy clinical trial departments. My role involves everything from completing the expression of interest forms to liaising with various stakeholders to facilitate CTIMP studies. I also provide participants with information, counsel them, obtained informed consent, randomize, and complete all case report forms in accordance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines and study protocols.
Working with women and birthing individuals requires holistic, acute care and effective communication. Recruiting participants for trials during pregnancy can be challenging, as some may reluctant due to misconceptions and a lack of awareness about the benefits of clinical trials. Through our service, we have created numerous opportunities for both service users and providers to engage in research. For instance, few doctors have completed Associated PI Courses, and some PCOs have particularly benefited from LOCI studies, which have reduced waiting times and improved continuity of care. When I first began as a research midwife, research activity among staff was limited due to the nascent stage of the programme. However, I had the opportunity to engage all healthcare professionals in maternity through the GBS3 study. I am currently collaborating on a study with a Maternity Medicine Specialist Midwife.
Research holds the potential to change lives. To advance medicine and improve standards, we must prioritise research. As a research midwife, I am committed to expanding opportunities for homegrown studies and ensuring everyone is involved in research.
Focus on Georgina Beetar, Research Quality Facilitator
I graduated from University of Brighton in 2009 and completed my Masters in healthcare research methods in 2016.
I worked previously in the Southend research team as data manager and research facilitator at SEPT.
I have also worked as a clinical research practitioner at Basildon for nine years.
I joined the research team as a Research quality facilitator in April 2024 and I’m pleased to now be working across the Trust on original research supporting research ideas from concept to the final product. I support researchers in developing their documentation for submission including ethics applications and protocol writing.
If you have any questions about original research, please email me at georgina.beetar@nhs.net.
Nikolett Hunyadvari, Community Research Innovation Lead
Nikolett has been a Senior Clinical Research Practitioner in the Luton, Essex and Herts Valley (LEH) Primary and Community Care research team for four years and has started in this new role at the beginning of March 2025.
There has been a noticeable gap in research, where healthcare professionals in the community had great ideas for research but struggled to bring those ideas to fruition, owing to the lack of processes and guidance available on how to set up a research project of their own.
Our Trust, the MSE ICB and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have been working together to address this gap and to work towards our shared goals, which culminated in the creation of this role.
Nikolett will be the first point of contact for healthcare professionals across MSE ICB and partner organisations to help develop original research, support protocol development, signpost to relevant resources and to ARU to identify suitable sponsor, and to help gain appropriate regulatory approvals.
This role will be crucial to foster relationships between all partner organisations and the wider primary and community care settings to build a framework of support for early career and experienced researchers in the region.
Facilitating and encouraging home grown research in the community has never been more important due to the increasing health inequalities of our community and the need to tailor research and innovation to our population’s needs.
If you would like to get in contact with Nikolett, please email her at Nikolett.hunyadvari@nhs.net.
Focus on Martina Vitaglione, Research nurse
Here are the highlights of my journey to become a Research Nurse.
2016 - I moved from Italy and joined the NHS. Started working as a Theatres Nurse in the St Andrews Department for Burns and Plastics.
2018 - I joined the St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College NHSFT, Theatre Team and gained experience in general and vascular surgery.
January 2020 - During the COVID19 pandemic I helped ITU staff looking after Covid-19 positive patients.
December 2020 - I joined the Research department as a Burns and Plastics Research Nurse. While my primary focus is on Burns and Plastics research, I regularly contribute to team projects across different specialties. I work closely with many different health care professionals from the Plastics Wards, Burns Adult Ward, Burns Paediatric Ward, Burns Intensive Care, and St Andrews Outpatients Department to offer patients access to potentially life-changing studies.
Read Martina's full story
I qualified as a nurse at the University of Pisa, Italy, in November 2015. Our three-year training covers both Adult and Paediatric nursing. Even before graduating, I aspired to move to London to gain international experience. I was offered a role at Broomfield Hospital in the Theatres Department and began working in March 2016 as a Pre-Registered Nurse while awaiting my NMC PIN, which allowed me to integrate early into the team.
I worked at the St Andrew’s Centre for Burns and Plastics, a regional specialist unit where I gained valuable experience in breast reconstruction, skin cancer, hand trauma, cleft, and head and neck cancer surgery. Head and neck quickly became my passion, and I co-organised a successful study day for multidisciplinary staff.
To broaden my experience, I moved to St Mary’s Hospital in London, a major trauma centre. There, I developed skills in general and vascular surgery and regularly supported major trauma cases, which boosted my clinical confidence.
In 2020, I returned to Chelmsford. Although I had planned to travel, the COVID-19 pandemic led me to support the ITU team during a critical time. Working under their supervision provided a major learning opportunity and expanded my skills in critical care.
I have always loved learning new things, and this is one of the reasons I truly enjoy my current role in the Research Department. When the opportunity arose to join the team as a Burns and Plastics Research Nurse, I felt it was the perfect fit. I started in December 2020, and I haven’t been bored a single day since.
The role of a Research Nurse is incredibly varied and stimulating, though still not widely understood by those unfamiliar with clinical research. I’m involved in the initial setup of studies, coordinating screening, recruitment, follow-up, and safety monitoring in accordance with Good Clinical Practice principles and study protocols. Our work requires not only clinical expertise but also excellent communication skills and a strong focus on patient-centred care.
While my primary focus is on Burns and Plastics research, I regularly contribute to team projects across different specialties. I attend various multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, including the Breast and Skin MDTs, working closely with consultants to offer patients access to potentially life-changing studies.
Some of our studies are commercially funded, while others are supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) or universities from across the UK. We participate in both national and international projects, such as the Melanoma Margin Trial (MelMarT). Since April 2022, we’ve recruited 50 patients for this study, placing us fourth in national recruitment—just behind major research sites like Cambridge.
Another key part of our role is liaising with study teams, stakeholders, and sponsors to ensure the smooth running of trials.
Engaging other departments is vital to what we do. One of our proudest achievements has been building a strong relationship with the Breast Unit, enabling us to offer participation in critical studies—such as the ATNEC Study—to patients facing challenging breast cancer diagnoses.
Research is all about generating evidence to guide best practice and improve the quality of care we deliver. At the research department, we are deeply passionate about this mission. We are committed to bringing research opportunities to all patients—for their benefit and the benefit of the wider population. There is always a study a patient might be eligible for—something that allows them to feel they are part of a meaningful change.
Please feel free to get in touch with us—we’re always happy to answer any questions or offer support. We believe we’re playing a small but vital role in shaping the future of healthcare—and you can help us do it too.