People

Following the successful completion of her undergraduate degree in Biotechnology, Annie subsequently completed a Master of Science in general biology from New York University and an MRes in Biomedical sciences, from Imperial College London; while there, she performed research investigating dietary and drug interactions in a murine model and its affects upon metabolomic profiles in numerous sample types using NMR and Mass- Spectrometry.

In 2022 Annie joined the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, in the centre for Genomics and Child Health at Queen Mary, University of London. Here, she is a lab scientist and processes microbiome samples for REALITY, COMBI and CHAIN trials. Her current work focuses on metabolomics, microbiome dynamics and human health.

Bernard Chasekwa is a biostatistician at Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research. He holds a BSc in Biological sciences and Statistics (University of Zimbabwe) and a MSc in Medical Statistics (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine).

His areas of interest include statistical mediation modelling. He is a PhD student registered with Queen Mary, University of London. His PhD project explores mechanistic pathways underlying low birthweight in rural Zimbabwean women.

Elaine Parker is currently a doctor doing an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Queen Mary, University of London. Her interests lie in the intersection between Gastroenterology and maternal health and to this end will be working on a study looking at the link between intestinal barrier dysfunction and preterm birth in the context of extreme heat (Climate Change).

She started her career in 2007 with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences at St George’s University of London where she developed an interest in Immunology, maternal health, and placental physiology.
Following her BSc she went on to study Medicine at Durham and Newcastle Universities where her interests in Maternal health and infection continued to develop, leading to an MSc in Tropical Medicine and International Health at the LSHTM following her foundation training.

In 2019, she spent a year working at Washington University in St Louis. It was during this period of research that Elaine further realised her interest in infectious diseases in the context of maternal health and the role of the maternal microbiome in infection, which later evolved into an interest in Gastrointestinal and Hepatic infections. Following this Elaine returned to the UK to begin her training in Internal medicine and begin her ACF in Gastroenterology at Queen Mary.

Helen successfully graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Bristol and proceeded to commence her PhD at the University of Warwick. The PhD thesis worked on molecular microbiology in environmental microbiology using next generation sequencing. Helen has since worked on a variety of research projects as a postdoctoral research associate including marine biology, microbiology diagnostic development for urinary tract infections and later, tuberculosis; working with other teams has also empowered Helen to develop skills in immunology whilst working on immune function in an arthritis and diabetes model. Helen has experience of working with a wide range of microorganisms including pathogens, commensal bacteria, phage, and algae. During these contracts, Helen has worked both in core academia as well as in conjunction with industrial partners.

Helen currently works as postdoctoral researcher in the Centre for Genomics and Child Health working specifically on sub-studies associated with Professor Prendergast’s clinical trials. Helen has a strong research interest in microbiome structure and function in the context of health and disease (including Severe Acute Malnutrition, stunting and HIV) of maternal and child health as well as pathogen and enteric dysfunction dynamics.

Michael Papasavva is an early-career cognitive neuroscientist affiliated with Queen Mary, University of London, and the Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research in Zimbabwe. His research integrates structural low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Electroencephalography (ERP/EEG), and developmental assessments (e.g., Griffiths III) to examine cognition, neurodevelopment, and overall well-being in children. His work primarily explores how HIV exposure, growth trajectories, inflammatory biomarkers, and socio-economic determinants influence health and developmental outcomes in traditionally underserved populations.

Michael is a co-investigator and co-recipient of a UKRI Medical Research Council grant supporting the SHINE second follow-up study, which investigates long-term developmental outcomes associated with early-life interventions.

In addition to his research activities, Michael serves as a neurodevelopmental consultant listed on the roster of specialists for the United Nations’ World Health Organisation. He also holds adjunct lecturer positions at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, actively engaging in the education and mentorship of medical and neuroscience students.

Dr Papasavva is both a charted psychologist with the British Psychological Society and a member of the British Neuroscience Association, where in 2025, he was awarded the Green Neuroscience Award for his pioneering work in creating a solarised Hyperfine MRI laboratory, the first of its kind in the world.

My research aims to follow up children discharged from hospital following management of severe acute malnutrition to determine their clinical and nutritional outcomes and what factors, at discharge, predict long-term morbidity, mortality and nutritional relapse.

The aim of this work is to help identify children at risk and provide targeted interventions to improve their long-term outcomes. Determination of body composition will also provide data on the predeterminants of subsequent adult metabolic disease.

Shrey is an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Primary Care. He is interested in the role of national and global policy changes to improve antibiotic use. At QMUL, his work aims to better understand global cotrimoxazole strategies and their impact on child health. He is also working to better classify antibiotics in the WHO Essential Medicines List. He divides his week between his clinical role as a primary care physician in East London and his academic roles.

Prior to his current role, Shrey evaluated the evidence base for paediatric antibiotics at St George’s, University of London. In Germany, he has worked on improving prehospital stroke management with Mobile Stroke Units and investigating its applicability to rural and underserved areas. He has completed BSc at McGill University in Montreal and medical training in Prague and the United Kingdom.