Angharad de Cates
NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC): Oxford Health, EDI Academic Lead
Angharad is a psychiatrist and researcher who provides strategic leadership for EDI across the NIHR BRC: Oxford Health. Working closely with Lizzie, she helps ensure that EDI principles are embedded throughout the BRC’s activities, policies and culture, while fostering strong partnerships and collaboration on EDI across the BRC’s partner organisations.
Lizzie Carline
NIHR BRC: Oxford Health, EDI Project Manager
Lizzie joins the NIHR BRC: Oxford Health as an experienced project manager and EDI specialist. She has over 13 years experience of working with underserved communities, including on advocacy and co-design schemes with the aims of improving health and social care outcomes.
Rachel Upthegrove
NIHR BRC: Oxford Health, Director
Rachel provides strategic leadership and champions its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion by embedding inclusive research practices, strengthening patient and public involvement, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented across our research, workforce and partnerships.
Pamela Reid
NIHR BRC: Oxford Health, Strategic Partnerships Manager
Pamela played a pivotal role in establishing the foundations of the BRC’s current EDI approach and continues to provide strategic and practical support to the EDI team, helping to embed inclusive practices across research, partnerships and organisational activities.
Theme EDI Network
The Theme EDI Network is a collaborative forum for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) discussion, consultation and shared learning across the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford Health. Bringing together Theme EDI Ambassadors and key representatives, the network supports the sharing of resources, best practice and updates related to workforce EDI and research inclusion. It also provides a platform for members to discuss and showcase EDI activity across themes, helping to strengthen connections and learning across the BRC
Gaurav Bhalerao
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Gaurav specialises in neuroimaging, machine learning and research software development. His work supports advances in dementia and mental health research through large-scale brain imaging analysis and the promotion of reproducible research practices. Gaurav joins the network as EDI Ambassador for the Brain Technologies Theme.
Rowan Diamond
HCPC Registered Research Clinical Psychologist
Rowan is a Research Clinical Psychologist specialising in psychosis, with a focus on developing and evaluating innovative psychological therapies. She is passionate about improving access to effective treatments and promoting wellbeing through both research and clinical practice. Rowan joins the network as EDI Ambassador for the Psychological Treatments Theme.
Fabiana Corsi Zuelli
Postdoctoral Researcher
Fabiana investigates the role of the immune system in psychosis, aiming to identify new pathways for personalised treatments. Her work combines immunology, genetics and neuroscience to better understand the biological mechanisms underpinning mental illness. Fabiana joins the network as EDI Ambassador for the Molecular Targets Theme.
Riccardo De Giorgi
Clinical Lecturer (Post-CCT) & Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist
Riccardo’s research explores how immunological and metabolic factors influence mental health, with a particular focus on mood disorders. He combines clinical practice and research to develop innovative treatments and is an active advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion. Riccardo joins the network as EDI Ambassador for the Depression Therapeutics Theme.
Anutra Guru
Research Assistant
Anutra works within the Psychopharmacology and Emotion Research Laboratory (PERL), supporting research into depression and cognitive health. She is passionate about mental health, race equality and fostering inclusive research environments. Anutra joins the network as a Representative (chair) of the Department of Psychiatry’s Race Equality Working Group.
Maxime Taquet
Associate Professor
Maxime is a psychiatrist and researcher whose work uses large-scale health data, brain imaging and digital technologies to better understand mental illness. His research aims to translate insights from complex datasets into improved treatments and patient outcomes. Maxime joins the network as EDI Ambassador for the Data Science Theme.
Dominic Oliver
Senior Researcher
Dominic leads research into the prediction and prevention of psychosis, using artificial intelligence and healthcare data to improve early identification and intervention. His work focuses on advancing precision approaches to severe mental illness. Dominic joins the network as EDI Ambassador for the Data Science Theme.
Forrest Cheung
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sleep Medicine
Forrest’s research focuses on sleep and circadian rhythm disorders, particularly among healthcare workers. He is developing evidence-based interventions to improve sleep, wellbeing and adaptation to shift work within NHS settings. Forrest joins the network as EDI Ambassador for the Better Sleep Theme.
Andreia Costa
NIHR BRC: Oxford Health, Training & Academic Career Development
Andreia leads training and career development programmes across the BRC: Oxford Health and is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and disability inclusion. She champions awareness through research, events and community initiatives. Andreia joins the network as a Representative (chair) of the Department of Psychiatry’s Neurodiversity and Disability Working Group.
