Research Research Home Research Aims Funded Projects Participate in Research Lay Research Panel Research Committee For Researchers Research Research Committee The Alopecia UK Research Committee was established in 2018 to assess research funding applications and develop our research strategy. We are delighted to have a Committee made up of scientists, researchers, psychologists, clinicians and patient representatives, all with a range of interests, specialisms and academic/work backgrounds. Policies Our Research committee follow the AMRC’s recommended Principles of Expert Review and abide by our Code of Practice and Conflict of Interest Policy. We support the AMRC positions on the use of animals in research, supporting research in universities, and public involvement. Below you can find information about each of our Research Committee members. Professor Desmond Tobin - Committee Chair Profession: Professor of Dermatological Science Relevant organisations/institutions: The Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin Research areas of interest/specialisms: Skin and Hair in Health and Disease using cellular and molecular biology research approaches. Work/academic background: Dr Desmond J. Tobin is Full Professor of Dermatological Science and Director of The Charles Institute of Dermatology at University College Dublin, Ireland. Prior to Sept 2018 he was Professor of Cell Biology and Director of the Centre for Skin Sciences at Bradford University, Britain. He holds a BSc from the National University of Ireland (Maynooth), a PhD from the University of London, Britain (St. John’s Institute of Dermatology) and post-doctorate from New York University Medical School’s Dept. of Dermatology, USA. Over the past ~25 years Des has researched in basic and applied skin/hair sciences, with a focus on the biology of human melanocytes /pigmentation in health and disease (incl. melanoma) and of hair growth disorders, especially those with an immune basis. Des holds fellowships from: Royal College of Pathologists, Royal Society of Biology, Institute of Trichologists, Royal Microscopical Society, Institute of Biomedical Science, and is an elected Member of the Royal Irish Academy. Des is a past president of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology, a founding member of the UK TREND Skin Health Working Group, and secretary to National and International Skin Registry Solutions (charity). He serves(ed) on several editorial boards, and scientific advisory panels including the UK-based Research Excellence Framework (REF2021). He has published over 200 publications. His H-Index is currently 68 (Scopus) and 81 (Google Scholar) Spring 2024. Relevant weblinks: University College Dublin, Charles Institute of Dermatology Dr Matthew Harries Profession: Consultant Dermatologist Relevant organisations/institutions: Consultant Dermatologist, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Honorary Senior Lecturer, The University of Manchester Fellow, The Royal College of Physicians of London Committee Member, British Hair and Nails Society Steering Committee member, UK-Dermatology Clinical Trials Network Research areas of interest/specialisms: Clinical = All types of hair and scalp disorders Research = Cicatricial (Scarring) alopecias (particularly the immunology of Lichen planopilaris) and alopecia areata Work/academic background: Matthew received his medical degree from the University of Leeds, UK in 1998. In 2001, he gained membership of the Royal College of Physicians of London, and in January 2003 took a post as a Specialist Registrar in Dermatology in Manchester. During training Matthew took time out of programme to study the hair immune system in primary cicatricial alopecias, working as a Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, and a visiting Research Fellow in Experimental Dermatology at the University of Lübeck, Germany. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Manchester in 2011 for this work. Matthew now works as a Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal Foundation Trust in Manchester and has an Honorary Senior Lecturer post at the University of Manchester. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London. Matthew has a special interest in hair loss disorders, in particular the scarring alopecias, receiving specialist referrals from around the region. He is a founder member of the British Hair and Nails Society (BHNS) and acts as the research lead on the BHNS executive committee. Relevant weblinks: The following are links to some of the research institutions that Matthew has mentioned: The University of Manchester Research & Innovation (working with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust) National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre Professor Diana Harcourt Relevant organisations/institutions Health psychologist and Director of the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) at the University of the West of England, Bristol Diana was previously a member of an NIHR Research for Patient Benefit South West committee Breast Cancer Now's Scientific Advisory Board, and The Scar Free Foundation's Research Council Research areas of interest/specialisms Applied psychological research into appearance and body image. Work/academic background Diana completed her PhD at the University of the West of England in Bristol in 2001, after an MSc in Psychological Research Methods at Exeter University. Diana has more than 20 years' experience of psychosocial research into the experiences and support needs of people living with an altered or unusual appearance (i.e. visible difference). Much of her research has been in the field of cancer and the impact of treatment-related changes to appearance on those affected, and their families. This has included research into experiences of hair loss due to chemotherapy, and her broader visible difference research has included people affected by alopecia. Diana’s work has included developing and evaluating supportive interventions including collaboration on the YP Face IT online intervention for young people with visible differences and the PEGASUS intervention to support shared decision making with people considering appearance-altering treatment. Diana is currently leading a 5-year programme of research at CAR aiming to support organisations within the Appearance Collective, including Alopecia UK. Diana has published more than 120 peer reviewed journal papers and two books. Relevant weblinks: Further information about Diana can be found at her website Further information about the Centre for Appearance Research can be found here Further information about the University of the West of England can be found here Professor Andrew Messenger Profession: Consultant Dermatologist Relevant organisations/institutions: British Association of Dermatologists European Hair Research Society British Hair and Nail Society British Society for Investigative Dermatology Research areas of interest/specialisms: Biology and disease of hair growth Work/academic background: Andrew is a semi-retired clinical dermatologist. He has had a clinical and research interest in hair disease for many years, including alopecia areata, female pattern hair loss and frontal fibrosing alopecia. Andrew was president of the European Hair Research Society 2004-6, of the North of England Dermatological Society 2008-9 and has been president of the Institute of Trichologists since 2009. Andrew was also Chair of the 7th World Congress for Hair Research in 2013. Dr Syreeta Daw Profession: GP with an Extended Role (GPwER) in Medical Dermatology and Skin Surgery Relevant organisations/institutions: Royal College of General Practitioners GPwER, Lewisham and Bromley Community Dermatology Services, London Tutor Practical Dermatology Postgraduate Diploma, Cardiff University Executive Committee Member and Bulletin Co-editor, Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) Research areas of interest/specialisms: Hair loss disorders Skin of Colour Work/academic background: Dr Syreeta Daw is a GP with an extended role in Medical Dermatology and Skin Surgery and currently works in Lewisham and Bromley Community Dermatology Services, London. She has an interest in hair disorders and has completed a Master’s degree in Practical Dermatology at Cardiff University with a focus on non-scarring alopecia. Syreeta has recently worked with Alopecia UK on the development of The Charter for Best Practice for NHS Wig Provision. Syreeta has an active interest in Dermatology education and teaching and is an Executive Member of the Primary Care Dermatology Society and a Co-editor of the PCDS Bulletin. She also works a Tutor on the Postgraduate Practical Dermatology Diploma for Cardiff University. Relevant weblinks: Further information about Syreeta can be found here Committee profile (pcds.org.uk) Further information about the PCDS can be found here The Primary Care Dermatology Society | UK (pcds.org.uk) Dr Margo Gkini Profession: Consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer Relevant organisations/institutions: 401 General Army Hospital, Athens Barts Health NHS Trust, London Research areas of interest/specialisms: Hair disorders, systemic and advanced treatments (biologics and small molecules), psychodermatology, holistic approach Work/academic background: Dr. Maria-Angeliki Gkini is a Consultant Dermatologist at 401 General Army Hospital in Athens, Greece and a Locum Consultant Dermatologist and Hon Senior Lecturer at Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK. She has developed a special interest in hair diseases while running hair specialist clinics and her PhD thesis focused on the efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma in non-scarring alopecias. Her other special interests include advanced treatments (biologics and small molecules), inflammatory diseases and psychodermatology/psychotrichology. Dr Gkini is very passionate about the holistic management of her patients (screening for comorbidities and management) and treats them as a whole. She has a strong research interest and she has served as a principal or sub-investigator in more than 45 studies, being able to offer innovative and promising treatments to her patients. She has participated as a speaker/invited speaker at many national and international congresses and she has published her research in international peer-reviewed journals. Dr Gkini has also been awarded numerous prizes and grants by prestigious institutions and organisations, such as the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, the British Association of Dermatologists and the Royal College of Physicians. Dr Kevin McElwee Profession: Research Consultant and Scientist Relevant organisations/institutions: Honorary Visiting Professor, University of Bradford, UK Adjunct Professor, University of British Columbia, Canada Research areas of interest/specialisms: Research on hair loss, particularly alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia Immune regulation in relation to hair loss, hair growth and cycling The role of mesenchymal cells in hair growth promotion and regenerative therapy Skin cancers, particularly basal cell carcinomas and their relationship to hair follicles Work/academic background: Dr. Kevin McElwee is currently a consultant for several companies developing treatments for alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. He is also the Chief Scientific Officer for RepliCel Life Sciences, a Canadian company that develops regenerative therapies using cells derived from hair follicles. Dr. McElwee was previously a Professor in the Centre for Skin Sciences at the University of Bradford, UK and an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology and Skin Health at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Dr. McElwee has worked as a hair research scientist for more than 25 years and has published over 120 medical journal articles and academic book chapters on hair loss research. Dr. McElwee received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and his PhD from the University of Dundee, Scotland. His postdoctoral training included three years at the Jackson Laboratory in Maine, USA and four years at the University of Marburg, Germany, studying various hair loss diseases. Relevant weblinks: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ResearchHairORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1020-3832LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mcelwee2/ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kevin-McelweeGoogle Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=DCGr8IgAAAAJ