In recent months the core team at OH BRC has expanded and we would like to welcome our new colleagues to the team.
Cora Reilly-McGeown
Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation Manager(PPIEP) for the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.
Cora has previously worked as the Patient, Carer and Public Involvement and Engagement Manager at the NIHR Clinical Research Network Thames Valley and South Midlands and as an Events and Marketing manager at NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Cora has over ten years’ experience working in patient and public involvement in research. She is passionate about embedding patient and public involvement in research supporting researchers to include the voice of people who are not traditionally involved and often under-served in research through community work. Involving people with lived experience of mental health difficulties (e.g., patients, service users and their carers), to develop better research in a meaningful way that serves the needs and interests of patients and carers.
Contact Cora at: cora.reillymcgeown@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Andreia Costa
Project Manager – Training and Career Development for the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre
Andreia brings over decade of experience in project management, data analysis and fostering teams’ career development. While her professional roots lie in the media evaluation and public relations sector, she is deeply passionate about mental health and committed to make a positive impact on lives, even if indirectly. Andreia’s proficiency extends to communication strategy and establishing solid relationships with key stakeholders. Outside her role at the BRC, Andreia wears many hats. She is involved with Oxford Creators, a non-profit alternative education provision for children with special needs, supporting the CEO with making decisions aimed at boosting the confidence of the children, paving the way for a brighter future. Andreia is also a proud mother of a beautiful autistic daughter, passionate about music, an automotive enthusiast, and a yellow-belt kickboxer.
Contact Andreia at: andreia.costa@psych.ox.ac.uk
Luarena Durston
Oxford Health BRC Administrator
Having started in the Trust in March 2022 as admin support three days per week for Health Visiting, in late Summer 2023 Luarena also joined the BRC in the role of PPIEP administration for two days per week.
From January 2024 she moved over from both of these roles to be the OH BRC administrator supporting the OH BRC and senior members of the OH BRC Team full time.
Contact Luarena at: Luarena.Durston@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
