Our Expertise
Our Expertise
Dr Hana Hassanin – MBBS, MD, FRCP, PGDip
Founding Director
Dr Hana Hassanin is the Founding Director of the NIHR Royal Surrey Clinical Research Facility, Honorary Consultant Physician at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, and Associate Professor in Experimental and Translational Medicine at the University of Surrey. She has been Medical Director of the Surrey Clinical Research Facility since 2019.
An internationally recognised clinical academic, she has led more than 65 early- and late-phase clinical trials across broad therapeutic areas including oncology, vaccinology, Immunology, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal medicine.
Dr Hassanin sits on multiple national and international committees as an expert in early-phase research and has served as Clinical Consultant for the Dementia Research Institute since 2020. Dr Hassanin is a member of the Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) Network Funding Committee. She chairs the University of Surrey’s Research Ethics Committee and is an expert reviewer for the HRA Research Ethics Committee. Her leadership has positioned the Royal Surrey CRF as a national hub for innovative, inclusive, and translational clinical research driving real patient impact.
James Woolley – Clinical Manager
James Wooley is Clinical Manager for both the Surrey Clinical Research Facility, and the NIHR Royal Surrey CRF.
James graduated from the University of Brighton as a Registered General Nurse in 1999. He worked in a variety of clinical settings before joining the University of Surrey in 2006 as a Clinical Research Nurse. He has been Clinical Manager at the CRF since 2019.
Dr Nadia Khan - Quality Assurance Manager
Dr Nadia Khan is the Quality Assurance Manager at the Surrey Clinical Research Facility. She completed her PhD at the University of Surrey in 2005.
She is responsible for overseeing the quality management system at the CRF which ensures the integrity of the clinical trials and clinical studies conducted at the facility, whilst adhering to regulatory standards and requirements.
Dr Matt Parsons – Clinical Research Physician
A medical doctor by background, Matt’s supports Dr Hana Hassanin in managing much of the CRF’s medical operations. Matt is responsible for consenting participants, prescribing, reviewing lab results, as well as much of our clinical risk management and contingency planning.
Matt has degrees in Medicine and in Management and has practised in a broad range of areas, including surgery, medicine, intensive care, and general practice. He is passionate about research and in empowering our participants to contribute to the development of life-changing therapeutics.
Kat Pizzoferro — Laboratory Manager
Kat Pizzoferro has been with the Clinical Research Facility since 2004, serving under its previous names, the Surrey Clinical Research Centre, and the Human Psychopharmacology Research Unit. Initially gaining experience across the research team, Kat has been Laboratory Manager since 2009. She oversees all aspects of laboratory operations, including study setup, sample processing and shipment, equipment management, and regulatory compliance.
Kat has extensive experience supporting a wide range of clinical studies and ensures the facility’s laboratory operates safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality.
Iris Wood Campar — Senior Clinical Research Nurse
Iris Wood Campar has been working a Senior Clinical Research Nurse at the Surrey Clinical Research Facility since 2017. Iris completed a BSc Hons in Biomedical Science at Kingston University in 2009, and then completed a PGDip in Adult Nursing at City University in 2011.
Iris has worked as a Registered Nurse on a cardiothoracic surgical ward and then as a Respiratory Research Nurse before joining the University of Surrey as a Research Nurse in 2014.
Nikhila Joseph — Research Nurse
Nikhila K Joseph is a Research Nurse at the Surrey Clinical Research Facility, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. She provides nursing supports in delivering Phase I - II clinical studies, ensuring participant safety, protocol compliance, and high standards of documentation. With a background in high acute care and outpatients, Nikhila brings over ten years of clinical experience and a strong commitment to evidence-based, patient-centred practice.
James Ratcliff — Public and Participant Inclusion and Engagement Lead
James is our PPIE Lead, providing the link between the CRF and the communities we serve.
He coordinates our PPIE Steering Group, which brings together members of the public to discuss and contribute to the research we conduct. He also represents the CRF in collaborative efforts to tackle health inequalities in our catchment area, working closely with the NIHR, and other system partners.
Rob Hirons — Senior Study Coordinator
Rob Hirons is a Senior Study Coordinator with over 12 years of experience in clinical research. He has worked in the Phase One Team at the Cancer Research UK Centre in Southampton and previously in the Research Team at the Berkshire Cancer Centre in Reading, supporting a wide range of Oncology/Haematology trials.
Rob brings a strong background in study data management and patient-facing research delivery. At the CRF, he plays a key role in managing study logistics and ensuring high standards of research practice.
Kate Ward — Clinical Research Recruitment Coordinator
Kate Ward is the Clinical Research Recruitment Coordinator at the CRF. She is responsible for conducting telephone health screens with participants to ensure eligibility prior to an invitation for a screening appointment and is often the main liaison contact between participants and the research team.
Sarah Gosden — Clinical Research Support Coordinator
Sarah Gosden is the Clinical Research Support Coordinator for the Surrey Clinical Research Facility and her role entails carrying out a wide range of support including general administration, Quality and Project Management.
Her qualifications in Law and experience in the legal sector means she is well-equipped to work in a regulated area such as clinical research.