Daniel is our new Research Nurse in Brighton - you can read more about Daniel here:
How would you describe your role to someone you’ve just met?
Promoting MND research and engaging people with living with MND, running MND clinical trials and supporting patients and their carers through their research journey.
What does your typical working day look like?
Each day can be quite varied, it can include treating patients with trial medications, carrying out assessments, speaking to patients and carers about research and clinical trials, attending clinics and MDTs and answering a lot of emails.
What made you want to become a nurse?
Becoming a nurse was never something I planned on, I was an illustrator for many years but found it a lonely existence so wanted to do something working with people. I got a job as a Health Care Assistant and really enjoyed it and the nurses I worked with suggested I should do my nurse training, that was 20 years ago and I haven’t look back!
What attracted you to your current role?
I have been working in Neurology research for about 15 years now, my dad had a progressive neurological disease which is why I first wanted to work in the area. MND was always the area that interested me the most. It is such a devastating disease and there are so few treatment options that I have always been very motivated to work on research in that area. To be able to be in a specific MND role and to be given the opportunity to grow and promote our MND research portfolio locally feels like an immense privilege.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
In terms of a career in MND research I would say Prof Nigel Leigh had a big impact. He was the first person I worked with on an MND study and his dedication to and enthusiasm for advancing MND research was contagious. He also blended being scientific and academic with warmth and compassion for his patients.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Meeting, working with and getting to know people living with MND and their families.
What’s been the stand-out moment in your career so far?
There have been many exciting moments in MND studies like putting our first patient into a phase one drug trial, but the moment that really stands out was running COVID studies during the height of the pandemic. It was a stressful time, but incredible feeling be involved in the research that changed the course of pandemic and gave us treatment options that are used globally.
What are your ambitions for the future?
My future ambitions are to remain involved in MND research until we find effective treatment options, or better still a cure. Every study adds to our knowledge and understanding so it’s always meaningful being involved but I hope one day soon we see some significant findings coming out that will change the course of MND treatment globally.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted a job like yours?
In terms of practical advice, I would say get some experience working with people living with MND, get what ever Research experience you can – even if it is just completing your GCP training online or shadowing a research nurse. In terms less practical advice, I would say prepare yourself for a sometimes emotional but always rewarding role