Your Team

Clinical Research Team

You will be seen by our clinical research team headed by our Research Nurse Manager, Gail Clement. The team works hard to ensure that your visit is carried out as pleasantly as possible. The clinical research team are all fully trained to carry out a large number of tests and have a wealth of experience in research. Most importantly, they all love their job and enjoy getting to know twins at the visit. Gail says: "We all appreciate how important your contribution to research is, especially at a time when gene discovery is opening up so many possibilities for the understanding of our health and behaviour".

Lab Team

Straight after the clinical research team have taken your blood samples, either Dylan or Kiran, two members of the laboratory staff, will collect them for processing and storage at the DTR Laboratory. The blood collected is separated into serum and plasma samples, and then stored along with the urine sample in large freezers at the DTR. A further whole blood sample is preserved in order to extract a DNA sample at a later date.

In addition to daily twin visits, the laboratory handles saliva, blood, buccal swabs, and hair samples from a wide array of ancillary projects funded by the DTR, as well blood and hair samples that you kindly post to us as part of our postal collection. Gabriela Surdulescu, the Laboratory Manager, coordinates sample management and shipment as well as liaising with research collaborators while ensuring that lab work is conducted smoothly and expediently.

Admin Team

Karolina and Kathrine are happy to provide you with information about the Department and twin visits. They work round the clock to keep you informed of any new projects and media events. They have talked to more than 5000 of you and have answers to your every query! The team also keeps all your contact details updated so please let them know of any changes.