Introduction
Academic medicine matters because it keeps clinical practice connected to the best available evidence. Alongside my clinical work, I am a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Oxford Population Health and an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Oxford University Hospitals.
My research combines large-scale cardiovascular trials with mechanistic and clinical studies. I am particularly interested in atrial fibrillation: how it develops, how it affects the heart, how it can be detected, and how treatment can be better tailored to the individual.
For patients, the value of research is practical. It helps me assess new tests and treatments carefully, explain where evidence is strong or still evolving, and make recommendations that are both current and proportionate.
Research training and academic roles
I studied medicine at Cambridge University, where I received distinctions, prizes and scholarships, before moving to Oxford for postgraduate medical and higher specialist cardiology training. I was awarded a DPhil in Cardiovascular Medicine in 2018 for research using multi-parametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance to investigate the left-ventricular phenotype in people with atrial fibrillation.
This work was recognised with the Young Investigator Award in Clinical Science from the European Society of Cardiology and the Melvin Judkins Young Investigator Award from the American Heart Association. I joined Oxford’s Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit as a Clinical Research Fellow in 2021 and became Senior Clinical Research Fellow in 2023.
Alongside research and clinical work, I contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and am a Stipendiary Lecturer in Clinical Medicine at St John’s College, Oxford.
Current work
My current clinical and academic interests include atrial fibrillation, heart rhythm disorders, cardiovascular prevention and the careful evaluation of new tests and treatments. This work supports a questioning, evidence-based approach while decisions about an individual patient remain centred on their circumstances and preferences.
My recent research work includes the AMALFI trial of atrial fibrillation screening in primary care and the LOSE-AF trial of weight loss in older patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, both published in JAMA.
I have given multiple invited talks at major international meetings including the European Society of Cardiology Congress, contribute regularly to peer review for more than 10 journals, including JAMA, European Heart Journal, Nature Reviews Cardiology, PLOS Medicine, Radiology, and npj Digital Medicine, and have served as sub-editor for British Cardiovascular Society online content. I have written several textbook chapters, including two in the upcoming latest edition of Emergencies in Cardiology, a leading Oxford Handbook.
What this means for your care
Research involvement does not mean that every patient needs the newest test or treatment. It means that new evidence is considered critically, alongside established practice, your personal priorities and the practicalities of care.
Where evidence is uncertain, I will say so. Where a newer technique is appropriate, we can discuss what is known, what remains to be learned, and how it compares with the established alternatives.
Key points
- Research evidence is interpreted in the context of the individual patient.
- Active work in AF, cardiovascular trials and cardiometabolic risk informs a current, questioning approach to evidence.
- Good evidence should support—not replace—shared decision-making.
- New treatments are considered carefully, with realistic discussion of benefits and limits.
Patient note
“Evidence is most useful when it helps answer the question in front of us, rather than adding complexity for its own sake.”
Questions about research-informed care
What does the evidence say for someone in my situation? How certain is it? Are there reasonable alternatives?
FAQ
Does research involvement change my care?
It supports an evidence-based approach, while decisions remain centred on your needs and preferences.
Can I read more about the research?
Yes. A selection of publications is listed above, and the PubMed link in the related information panel provides a broader publication record.
Does being involved in research mean I will be asked to take part in a study?
No. Research participation is always separate from routine clinical care and is entirely voluntary. If a relevant study is available, it would be discussed clearly before you decide whether to take part.