learn more about our expert speakers
|
PROFESSOR STEPHEN FRANKS
PROFESSOR OF REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY, IMPERIAL COLLEGE & ST MARY'S HOSPITAL Stephen Franks trained in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. He is Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College Faculty of Medicine (University of London) and Consultant Endocrinologist at St Mary's and Hammersmith Hospitals, London. He has recently completed a term as Chairman of the Society for Endocrinology (UK). He has both clinic and laboratory based programmes of research in the field of normal and disordered follicular development, predominantly in the human ovary. He has a major interest in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is not only the commonest cause of anovulatory infertility, but is also a major risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes. His research includes investigation of the mechanism(s) of anovulation, and of the characteristic metabolic abnormalities; it focuses particularly on the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of the syndrome. Professor Franks is one of Verity’s medical advisors and is on the board of PCOS UK, Verity’s medical education arm. |
|
DR SUMAN RICE
SENIOR LECTURER IN REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY, ST GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL Dr Suman Rice is Senior Lecturer in Reproductive Physiology at St George’s University of London. Suman graduated with a degree in Physiology from Kings College London, where she also obtained her PhD. Suman is currently investigating the control of follicle growth in the human ovary during the early prenatal stages. She has published a series of papers and in 2012, Dr Rice received the International Award for Publishing Excellence in JCEM. |
|
DR ALISON LAYTON
CONSULTANT DERMATOLOGIST, HARROGATE AND DISTRICT NHS FOUNDATION Dr Alison Layton was appointed as Consultant Dermatologist at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust in 1995. Since this time she has established a comprehensive general dermatology service. She has a particular interest in androgen mediated disorders including acne and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She sits on the Executive Council of PCOS UK, the European Expert Panel for Acne and the Global Alliance Steering Group for Acne. She has conducted many clinic trials embracing acne and rosacea as well as other inflammatory dermatoses. She is also involved in basic science research looking at immunological and microbiological aspects of acne. She is one of the reviewers for the prodigy guidelines for rosacea and acne as well as for a number of NICE guidelines related to dermatological conditions. She is currently preparing the acne chapter for the eighth edition of Rooks Textbook of Dermatology and has recently provided a chapter for the Oxford Textbook of Medicine. She has lectured and presented at many international meetings in relation to acne and rosacea and has written a number of book chapters and review articles specifically related to these conditions. |
|
DR JUDITH IBISON
GP AND SENIOR LECTURER IN PRIMARY CARE, ST GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL Dr Judith Ibison is a GP in South London and a Senior Lecturer in Primary Care at St George's University. She has a strong clinical interest in women's health and at St George's, is responsible for implementing the professionalism curriculum. This involves developing the teaching and assessment of professional behaviour and attitudes to medical students |
|
DR CAROL PERCY
SENIOR LECTURER IN PSYCHOLOGY, COVENTRY UNIVERSITY Dr Carol Percy is a senior lecturer in psychology at Coventry University, she also has PCOS and lives with depression and anxiety. Carol has done research on the emotional impact of PCOS and some of the things that patients have found helpful. For example, she has interviewed patients about their experiences using a nurse-led support group at Warwick Hospital. Carol also interviewed women with PCOS to find out their hopes and expectations before going on the NHS Expert Patient Programme. Women’s experiences of attending the programme suggest there is a real need for accessible psychological support. Together with colleagues and students Carol has researched the kind of help teens and adult women look for in online PCOS forums, and the type of support they receive. With help from Verity, Carol is currently developing an online self-management support programme for PCOS. This will combine insights from health psychology with invaluable patient and health professional perspectives. Carol’s interest is in not just measuring and documenting PCOS patients’ distress, but developing accessible support that can help people cope and self-manage better. Carol trained and worked as a volunteer tutor in the UK Expert Patient Programme, and she’s also trained in motivational interviewing, mindfulness and cognitive behavioural coaching. Her workshop at the Verity Annual Conference 2016 will look at a range of practical techniques for coping with the emotional impact of PCOS - and how you might choose between them. |