Chris Wallace - IT Lead

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Meet the CONNECT dental research team

Trainee run and managed, CONNECT Trainees Group is a collective of like-minded people who are passionate about furthering their knowledge in the field of paediatric dentistry.

Meet the people who are currently driving forward our research

Our team members come from all areas of Northern England and Scotland. Moreover, each of us brings their own unique skill sets and areas of expertise to the table - both in and outside the dentistry field.

This diversity is what makes us such a dynamic, cohesive and successful team, and is something we are keen to uphold as we take on new members.

JOIN OUR TEAM

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Claudia is a post-CCST trainee and clinical academic in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Leeds. Her NIHR funded PhD explored the implementation of photobiomodulation (a light treatment) for management of oral mucositis and young people receiving chemotherapy. Claudia values the work of CONNECT in bringing trainees together across the country to support and deliver impactful child oral health research. Please contact us on connecttraineesuk@gmail.com

Laura is currently a paediatric dentistry trainee in Sheffield. She is also completing her PhD regarding the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride in NHS primary care. She is passionate about CONNECT having previously led multiple CONNECT projects since early in her training, she is currently the Chair and previous secretary. CONNECT has helped Laura develop her skills and collaborations with other researchers across the country and hopes to support others with these opportunities!

Erin is an NIHR Doctoral Fellow in Paediatric Dentistry based at the University of Leeds and the Leeds Dental Institute. Her research interests include oral health inequalities and preventative oral health interventions, utilising data linkage methodologies and causal inference approaches. She is passionate about trainee involvement in research and has been an active member of CONNECT, initially serving as the national trainee representative and now as treasurer.

Heather is currently a specialty registrar in Paediatric Dentistry and Clinical Lecturer at Cardiff University. Alongside her clinical training, she is undertaking a PhD focused on improving the implementation of evidence-based minimally invasive dentistry in primary care. She is passionate about translating research into practice, improving patient outcomes and promoting sustainable use of healthcare resources. Heather is also enthusiastic about nurturing future researchers and has supported undergraduate dental research at Cardiff University through her role as Inspire Scheme Lead. She is equally committed to supporting paediatric dentistry trainees in developing their research skills and confidence, helping to build research capacity within the specialty and encourage future academic and clinical leaders.

Julia is a specialty registrar in Paediatric Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London and the Royal London Dental Hospital. She is currently taking time out from her clinical training to undertake a Barts Charity-funded PhD focused on co-designing a family-based, culturally tailored oral health intervention for children and their families. Julia enjoys being part of CONNECT for the opportunity to build a community with fellow trainees across the country, develop her research skills and support others in advancing child oral health research.

Chris is a consultant in Paediatric Dentistry working within the community dental service at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. His area of special interest is improving the oral health of children and young people with kidney diseases and he is keen to help more NHS trainees get involved with research! Chris is here to support with any IT issues or queries- so any IT problems give him a shout!

Aisling Power -
Social Media Representative

Ella Holden -
Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity Rep

Helen founded the award-winning CONNECT trainee-led research group in 2017 and held the role of CONNECT chair until 2020. Helen is currently a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at Newcastle University. Her clinical and research interests lie in health economics applied to oral health, particularly dental caries. She has accrued over £1 million in research funding, published over 50 peer-reviewed research papers and was awarded the President’s Prize from the British Society of Oral and Dental Research in 2023. Helen continues to involve CONNECT members in her research and promote CONNECT activities.

Area Representatives

Scotland: Amy Carroll
Newcastle: James Atkinson
Leeds: Hiba Al-Diwani
South Yorkshire: Shrita Lakhani
Manchester and Liverpool: Emma Morgan

Birmingham: Lucy Newton
Wales: Heather Lundbeck
London: Rosie Potter
South West: Connie Harwick
Northern Ireland: VACANT

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Want to know more about the CONNECT dental research team?

Use the enquiry form provided to tell us about yourself or ask a question about what we do

MEMBERSHIP INFO

Message CONNECT Trainees Group. We welcome trainees from all areas of the UK.

Please use the form provided to make an enquiry.

Meet the CONNECT dental research team

Meet the people who are currently driving forward our research

Claudia Heggie - Chair

Laura Timms - Past Chair

Erin Giles - Treasurer

Heather Lundbeck- Trainee Rep

Julia Hurry- Secretary

Chris Wallace - IT Lead

Aisling Power -
Social Media Representative

Ella Holden -
Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity Rep

Helen Rogers - Founder

Area Representatives

Scotland: Amy Carroll
Newcastle: James Atkinson
Leeds: Hiba Al-Diwani
South Yorkshire: Shrita Lakhani
Manchester and Liverpool: Emma Morgan

Birmingham: Lucy Newton
Wales: Heather Lundbeck
London: Rosie Potter
South West: Connie Harwick
Northern Ireland: VACANT

Want to know more about the CONNECT dental research team?

Message CONNECT Trainees Group. We welcome trainees from all areas of the UK.

Meet the CONNECT dental research team

Meet the people who are currently driving forward our research

Claudia Heggie - Chair

Laura Timms - Past Chair

Erin Giles - Treasurer

Heather Lundbeck- Trainee Rep

Julia Hurry- Secretary

Chris Wallace - IT Lead

Aisling Power - Social Media Representative

Ella Holden - Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity Rep

Helen Rogers - Founder

Area Representatives

Scotland: Amy Carroll Newcastle: James Atkinson Leeds: Hiba Al-Diwani South Yorkshire: Shrita Lakhani Manchester and Liverpool: Emma Morgan

Birmingham: Lucy Newton Wales: Heather Lundbeck London: Rosie Potter South West: Connie Harwick Northern Ireland: VACANT

Want to know more about the CONNECT dental research team?

Message CONNECT Trainees Group. We welcome trainees from all areas of the UK.

Aisling Power -
Social Media Representative

Ella Holden -
Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity Rep

Scotland: Amy Carroll
Newcastle: James Atkinson
Leeds: Hiba Al-Diwani
South Yorkshire: Shrita Lakhani
Manchester and Liverpool: Emma Morgan

Birmingham: Lucy Newton
Wales: Heather Lundbeck
London: Rosie Potter
South West: Connie Harwick
Northern Ireland: VACANT