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* photographs © Michaela Greene
Researchers
Research Director: Dr van Middendorp - click for further information
Dr. Joost J. van Middendorp was appointed as a Research Director in March 2012. He started his Medical and Scientific
career in the Netherlands and continued conducting clinical research in Brisbane, Australia. He currently is a Research Fellow
of the Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford.
Clinical Researcher: Dr Harriet Allison - click for further information
Dr. Harriet C. Allison is a clinical researcher whose work focuses on urinary tract infections in patients with spinal cord injuries.
She began working for the foundation in June 2013. Harriet’s first degree in biochemistry was carried out at the University of
Oxford, followed by a PhD in pathology at the University of Cambridge.
Clinical Researcher: Dr Fiona Watkins - click for further information
In July 2013 Dr. Fiona Watkins was appointed as the study co-ordinator evaluating the psychological and functional effects of
the Tobii Eyegaze System in inpatients with tetraplegia at the National Spinal Injuries Centre.
Clinical Researcher: Mr Ian Benson - click for further information
In July 2013 Mr. Ian Benson, who is also a senior physiotherapist at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, was appointed as the
study co-ordinator of the Exoskeleton feasibility study. He has a particular interest in the role of assistive technologies for
spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
Research Associate: Mr Samford Wong - click for further information
Mr. Wong is one of the Foundation’s research associates and the current clinical lead dietitian at the National Spinal Injuries
Centre. Mr Wong is also an honorary clinical lecturer at the University College London.
Research topics
Dr van Middendorp received his PhD degree for his thesis on the prognosis and classification of spinal column and
spinal cord injuries. His personal research interest is in Clinical Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatology, Spinal Trauma,
Neurorehabilitation and related research methodology.
Research projects
Dr van Middendorp is involved as Principal Investigator and co-Principal Investigators of all projects outlined on the
Research projects webpage. He is also involved as a collaborator in spinal injury classification validation studies and
a project focused on surgical site infections after spinal surgery.
Publications - click for Dr van Middendorp’s key publications
Collaborations - click for details
spinal cord injuries. His personal research interest is in Clinical Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatology, Spinal Trauma,
Neurorehabilitation and related research methodology.
Research projects
Dr van Middendorp is involved as Principal Investigator and co-Principal Investigators of all projects outlined on the
Research projects webpage. He is also involved as a collaborator in spinal injury classification validation studies and
a project focused on surgical site infections after spinal surgery.
Publications - click for Dr van Middendorp’s key publications
Collaborations - click for details
Research topics
Mr Wong has recently completed his PhD thesis on clinical nutrition after spinal cord injury. His research interest covers the following
topics: the role of probiotics in preventing diarrhoea associated with antibiotics, the role of nutrition in pressure ulcer healing, obesity
management after spinal cordi injury, weight management in paediatric spinal cord injury and the role of vitamin D in spinal cord injury
bone health.
Research projects
Mr Wong and his colleagues are currently involved in the following research projects:
-
Clinical nutrition after spinal cord injury
-
Probiotics for the prevention of diarrhoea associated with antibiotics and clostridium difficile infection
-
Obesity monitoring and management after spinal cord injury (adult and paediatric)
Publications - click for Mr Wong’s key publications
Collaborations - click for details
topics: the role of probiotics in preventing diarrhoea associated with antibiotics, the role of nutrition in pressure ulcer healing, obesity
management after spinal cordi injury, weight management in paediatric spinal cord injury and the role of vitamin D in spinal cord injury
bone health.
Research projects
Mr Wong and his colleagues are currently involved in the following research projects:
-
Clinical nutrition after spinal cord injury
-
Probiotics for the prevention of diarrhoea associated with antibiotics and clostridium difficile infection
-
Obesity monitoring and management after spinal cord injury (adult and paediatric)
Publications - click for Mr Wong’s key publications
Collaborations - click for details
Dr van Middendorp’s Collaborations
Spine Unit, Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Dr AJF Hosman and Dr H Van de Meent
Trauma Service & Spinal Injuries Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Prof M Schuetz and Dr S Urquhart
Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico G. Rodolico, Catania, Italy
- Dr G Barbagallo
Dr van Middendorp’s Key Publications
van Middendorp JJ, Barbagallo G, Schuetz M, Hosman AJ. Design and rationale of a Prospective, Observational European Multicenter
study on the efficacy of acute surgical decompression after traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: the SCI-POEM study. Spinal Cord. 2012 Apr
17.
van Middendorp JJ, Goss B, Urquhart S, Atresh S, Williams R, Schuetz M. Diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic spinal cord injury.
Global Spine J 2011;1:1-8.
van Middendorp JJ, Hosman AJ, Donders ART, Pouw MH, Ditunno Jr. JF, Curt A, Geurts ACH, van de Meent H for the EM-SCI study
group. A clinical prediction rule for ambulation outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet. 2011 Mar
19;377(9770):1004-10.
van Middendorp JJ, Audigé L, Hanson B, Chapman JP, Hosman AJ. What should an ideal spinal injury classification system consist of?
A methodological review and conceptual proposal for future classifications. Eur Spine J. 2010 Aug;19(8):1238-49
van Middendorp JJ, Slooff WBM, Nellestein WR, Öner FC. Incidence and risk factors of complications associated with halo-vest
immobilization: a prospective, descriptive cohort study of 239 patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009 Jan;91(1):71-9
For more publications see: Pubmed
Mr Wong’s Key Publications
Wong S, Graham A, Green D, Hirani SP, Grimble G & Forbes A (2012) Meal provision in a UK National Spinal Injury Centre – a
qualitative audit of service users and stakeholders. Spinal Cord DOI: 10.1038/sc.2012.43 [Epub ahead of print]
Wong S, Derry F, Graham A, Grimble G & Forbes A (2012) An audit to assess awareness and knowledge of nutrition in a UK spinal cord
injuries centre. Spinal Cord 10 December 2011. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2011.180 [Epub ahead of print].
Wong S, Graham A, Hirani SP, Grimble G & Forbes A (2012) Profile and prevalence of malnutrition in children with spinal cord injuries -
assessment of the Screening Tool for Assessment in Paediatrics (STAMP). Spinal Cord 50, 67-71. DOI: 10.1038/sc.2011.139
Wong S, Derry F, Jamous A, Hirani SP, Grimble G & Forbes A (2012) Validation of the Spinal Nutrition Screening Tool (SNST) in patients
with spinal cord injuries (SCI) - result form a multicentre study. Eur J Clin Nutr 66, 382-387. DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.209
Wong S, Derry F, Jamous A, Hirani SP, Grimble G & Forbes A (2011) The prevalence of malnutrition in spinal cord injured patients - a
UK multicentre study. Br J Nutr 15 December 2011. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511006234 [Epub ahead of print]
For more publications see: Pubmed
Mr Wong’s Collaborations
Centre for Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, University College London, London.
- Prof. Alastair Forbes
School of Health Science, City University, London.
- Dr. Shashi Hirani
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Stanmore.
- Dr. Angela Gall and colleagues
Research topics
Dr Harriet C. Allison received her PhD degree for her thesis titled ‘Functions and evolution of membrane proteins in
Trypanosoma brucei.’ Harriet’s personal research interests include infectious disease and how infections can be
prevented or managed in patients with spinal injuries.
Research projects
Dr. Harriet C. Allison is currently involved in a research project to design a study into the prevention of urinary tract
infections in patients with spinal or traumatic brain injuries, or who have suffered a stroke.
Trypanosoma brucei.’ Harriet’s personal research interests include infectious disease and how infections can be
prevented or managed in patients with spinal injuries.
Research projects
Dr. Harriet C. Allison is currently involved in a research project to design a study into the prevention of urinary tract
infections in patients with spinal or traumatic brain injuries, or who have suffered a stroke.
Research Topics
Dr Fiona Watkins achieved a BSc. in biology from Oxford Brookes University, which was followed by a MSc. in toxicology from The University
of Surrey. Her first research post was for the Leukaemia Research Fund and Oxford University at The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. During
this post Fiona achieved her PhD entitled “The Molecular Basis of the Myelodysplastic Syndromes, in particular the 5q- Syndrome”; she was
a co-author of a number of scientific publications.
The Eyegaze System
The Tobii Eyegaze System is an eye-operated communication and control system that empowers severely disabled spinal cord injury patients
to communicate and interact with the world around them. It enables the user to write, speak, use the Internet and control systems in their
home or office.
of Surrey. Her first research post was for the Leukaemia Research Fund and Oxford University at The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. During
this post Fiona achieved her PhD entitled “The Molecular Basis of the Myelodysplastic Syndromes, in particular the 5q- Syndrome”; she was
a co-author of a number of scientific publications.
The Eyegaze System
The Tobii Eyegaze System is an eye-operated communication and control system that empowers severely disabled spinal cord injury patients
to communicate and interact with the world around them. It enables the user to write, speak, use the Internet and control systems in their
home or office.
Research Topics
The Exoskeleton