The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine Staff Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate and value the diverse contributions of staff across three categories: Research, People & Culture and Education.
We are delighted to announce our 2026 winners, who were presented with their awards at a special event on the Guy’s campus on 14 July hosted by Executive Dean for the Faculty, Professor Ajay Shah.
Link to Sharepoint awards page
Research Awards
Collaborative Research Excellence Award
This award recognises team science, where successful collaboration has been critical to the success of the research. Nominations are put forward by Heads of Schools.
Winner:
King's Health Partners Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Team
School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences
The KHP–Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on Clinical Obesity, led by Professor Francesco Rubino, brought together experts from leading academic institutions worldwide to address the clinical and systemic challenges of obesity. The resulting evidence-based diagnostic framework distinguishes clinical from preclinical obesity, with direct implications for care, policy and research. The Commission's report has already achieved exceptional global impact, with its recommendations already shaping clinical pathways, informing policy across healthcare systems, and advancing the global case for personalised, evidence-based and stigma-free care for people living with obesity.
Research Success Award
This award recognises individuals, particularly those early on in their research career, whose efforts have enabled them to achieve success in their research.
Winner:
Dr Miquel Serna Pascual
School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr Miquel Serna Pascual exemplifies the very best of interdisciplinary innovation and human centred scientific practice. Drawing on his pharmacology biomedical engineering expertise, he has developed SPARKS, an app designed to democratise data analysis by enabling users to interpret complex datasets without any coding knowledge. Alongside this, he has independently built a complementary website to support outreach.
His entrepreneurial drive has been recognised nationally: he successfully qualified for the iCURE Explore and Exploit programme, receiving exceptional feedback for his individual contribution, motivation, and ambition. He is now collaborating with four industry partners to undertake proof of concept validation, demonstrating both the credibility and the real-world potential of his work.
Outstanding Research Group Leader Award
This award recognises individuals who have provided excellent leadership of a research group, creating a great culture by supporting, enabling, coaching and nurturing colleagues earlier in their careers, role modelling core behaviours and handling difficult situations fairly and with compassion.
Winner
Professor Mariam Molokhia
School of Life Course & Population Health Sciences
A Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Primary Care, Mariam Molokhia leads an internationally recognised research programme. Her work, particularly in ethnically diverse and underserved populations, is both methodologically rigorous and socially impactful, and her leadership is characterised by care, commitment and integrity. She has secured major NIHR, MRC and European funding while leading collaborations that shape clinical practice and address health inequalities. She actively nurtures early career researchers, providing thoughtful mentorship, consistent and constructive feedback, opportunities for development and visibility, and compassionate support during challenging circumstances. She creates an environment where colleagues feel valued, grow in confidence, and are empowered to succeed, while delivering high-quality, socially meaningful research.
Research Impact on Society Award
This award recognises individuals or teams who have made a measurable impact on society through their research.
Winner:
Professor Carsten Flohr
School of Basic & Medical Biosciences
Historically treated with high‑dose systemic steroids, management of infantile haemangiomas (benign vascular tumours affecting around 2% infants) was associated with significant side effects and limited effectiveness. Thanks to a large European observational study led by Professor Carsten Flohr, it was demonstrated that low‑dose propranolol was a safe and effective alternative, and this evidence has directly underpinned UK national care guidelines since 2018. Professor Flohr’s NIHR-funded TREAT trial into severe atopic eczema, published in 2023, demonstrated that methotrexate is a safe, effective and highly affordable treatment option. Through rigorous clinical research, guideline leadership and advocacy for affordable medicines, Professor Flohr has delivered lasting impact on health outcomes, service efficiency and global access to care.
Innovation in Research Award
This award recognises individuals or teams demonstrating outstanding innovation in research that has had a significant impact.
Winner:
Dr Mohamed Alhnan
School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr Mohamed Alhnan is an internationally recognised research innovator whose work has delivered high impact medical and manufacturing technologies with clear clinical relevance. His research is distinguished by its ability to translate enabling technologies such as advanced manufacturing, materials science, and device engineering, into practical diagnostic and therapeutic solutions that address unmet healthcare needs. The originality and influence of his research are evidenced by his nine patents and by his sustained publication impact. His designation as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (top 0.1% globally) provides independent recognition of the significance and reach of his innovation. Collectively, his work exemplifies research innovation that delivers tangible benefits to patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems.
Excellence in Research Facilitation Award
This award is for an individual who provides essential research expertise but does not necessarily lead a research project or group.
Winner:
Hub for Applied Bioinformatics: Dr Flavia Flaviani and Dr Michelle Simon
School of Basic & Medical Biosciences
Dr Michelle Simon and Dr Flavia Flaviani are exceptional Senior Bioinformaticians who consistently provide thoughtful, rigorous and high-quality support to scientists at all career stages, from students to senior academics. Their expertise contributes to data analysis, project design, student supervision, grant writing and manuscript review and preparation, and is often essential to the success of research projects. Their technical excellence is complemented by their collaborative and supportive approach. They are generous with their time, highly approachable, and always receive excellent feedback from researchers and students alike. They help others not only by solving problems, but by building confidence and skills. They play a key role in creating a strong bioinformatics community through training, engagement activities, and ongoing support. Their work strengthens research culture, increases capability across the institution, and ensures that bioinformatics is embedded as a collaborative part of the research process.
Outstanding Technical Services Support for Research Award
This award recognises a member of technical services staff or a technical services team who has/have made a significant 'above and beyond' contribution to research within the Faculty.
Winner:
Adya Lonsane
School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences
Adya Lonsane consistently demonstrates excellence far beyond the expectations of her role. She takes a highly proactive approach to experimental planning and execution to ensure smooth delivery of technically challenging projects. Her outstanding troubleshooting ability has been critical in adhering to project timelines and enabling high-quality outcomes.
She produces clear, well-presented reports that can be readily interpreted and directly used in reporting back to funders, supporting the timely delivery of research outputs. Her attention to detail and dedication to quality have significantly strengthened the integrity and impact of the research. She actively supports social media engagement, helping to raise the profile of research activities, and has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive culture. She is also an excellent ambassador for the lab, interacting with visitors in an engaging and accessible way.
People & Culture Awards
Award for Championing an Inclusive, Fair and Diverse Faculty
This award is for an individual or team who has/have made significant contributions in developing, promoting and embedding equality, diversity and an inclusive culture within the Faculty.
Winner:
Janique Waghorn
School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Janique Waghorn has demonstrated sustained, thoughtful, and deeply impactful commitment to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across both teaching and research. She has led the development of enhanced professional training for MPharm students, embedding cultural competency into the curriculum at a point when these future prescribers are preparing to enter practice. This work strengthens their ability to deliver equitable, patient‑centred care and has the potential to improve both patient outcomes and the efficiency of the health system. Janique is also an active and constructive member of the People & Culture Committee, consistently bringing thoughtful, specific insights that highlight the differing needs and experiences of clinical, clinical academic, and academic staff. Her contributions ensure that policies and initiatives are shaped with genuine equity in mind, reflecting the diversity of our workforce. She ensures that a wide range of voices are represented and that our strategies try to support all staff fairly and effectively.
Outstanding Citizenship Award
This award recognises individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the Faculty above and beyond their normal duties.
Winners:
Dr Rachel Hunt & Dr Greg Knock, Venio Implementation User Group
Centre for Education and School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences
Venio is the new attendance and engagement management tool introduced across the University this year. As academic representatives on the Faculty’s Venio Implementation User Group, Dr Rachel Hunt and Dr Greg Knock have had a hugely positive impact and have been pivotal to its successful implementation. Both have championed the tool, emphasising its benefits to staff and students, and remaining positive in the face of challenges and negative responses, working across boundaries and helping to identify constructive solutions. They have led by example, ensuring that staff have felt well supported through this change and that going forwards, students who are struggling will be identified and supported much sooner.
Outreach and Engagement Award
This award recognises individuals or teams who have made a significant contribution to outreach and engagement, whether that be patient, public involvement and engagement, widening participation, local or global engagement, external engagement on sustainability issues or any other issues of importance to the Faculty.
Winner:
Dr Samantha Terry
School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences
Through workshops, festivals, public lectures, podcasts and community‑based events, Dr Samantha Terry consistently translates complex radiobiology and molecular radionuclide therapy research into accessible, engaging formats that invite dialogue and participation. Since 2023, she has led or delivered 29 high‑impact engagement activities, contributing to engagement strategy across major programmes including MITHRAS, the CRUK City of London Radiation Research Centre, and the Centre for Medical Engineering, and influencing practice at institutional, national and international levels. Collectively, her work has reached over 400,000 people and has embedded Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) as a core work package within large‑scale EPSRC and CRUK‑funded research grants. Her engagement practice is inclusive, and she works closely with patients, families and communities (particularly those underrepresented in science), in ways that foster empathy, empower participants, and meaningfully inform research design and delivery.
Outstanding Professional Services Award (two awards given)
This award recognises an individual member of professional services staff or a small team who has/have provided outstanding, responsive and innovative support, either expert or general, to colleagues in the Faculty. This award may also recognise contributions to developing others, including outstanding line management, mentorship or support for training and development of professional services colleagues. It may include leading innovation that has impacted significant improvement in support for a local or wider area of activity; supporting the outstanding delivery of education, responding to unforeseen circumstances and going above and beyond expectations; collaborating with colleagues across the Faculty and College to bring a positive change to working practice.
Winners:
Dr Ian Jackson
School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences
Roz Miah
Centre for Education
Dr Ian Jackson provides outstanding support -both research and academic- to several different departments, centres and teams. He is very knowledgeable about equipment and techniques, and students and staff alike count on him for all their queries, which he always handles with patience and kindness. As well as securing the Silver LEAF award, he made a successful RIF bid enabling new shared equipment. He has set up recycling programmes and is a champion of sustainability, rolling up his sleeves for any and all tasks and always striving for inclusion and fairness.
Roz Miah is dedicated, approachable, professional, knowledgeable and always willing to go above and beyond to support others. Her strengths lie not only in organisation but also in her ability to bring people together. She fosters strong working relationships across teams, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. A key area of her impact has been her leadership and delivery of events, including the recent 300th anniversary celebrations at Guy’s. In total, she has successfully organised and supported more than 50 events for both staff and students, each delivered with a high level of attention to detail, resulting in consistently excellent feedback.
Unsung Hero Award
This award recognises a member of staff who consistently and tirelessly seeks to improve the way their team, department, School or the Faculty works, but who has little wider visibility. For example, those who consistently help troubleshoot in the event of an emergency, who help ease the pressure on others or go above and beyond to support colleagues.
Winner:
FoLSM Stores Team
Faculty Central Office
The FoLSM Stores Team under the leadership of Max Robins are essential in so many ways. On a daily basis they provide on-site consumables to research and teaching labs, often at a moment’s notice, ensuring teams are always fully stocked with whatever they need in a sustainable way. Their goods-inwards service manages all external orders and deliveries extremely efficiently, and they go above and beyond to help with supplier queries, returns and product issues. They co-ordinate the complex processes for sending and receiving samples to and from national and international collaborators, allowing researchers to transport often hazardous materials in a safe and compliant manner. They have played a huge role in the implementation of the BOC managed service to provide the college with cryogenic and pressurised gas, improving the safety of the research practices requiring these facilities. They provide an amazing service.
Inspiring Leader Award
This award recognises an individual who has inspired others through their leadership, created a positive environment, championed equality, diversity and inclusivity and shown visibility and openness to help and support those they lead.
Winner:
Kirsty Massetti
Centre for Education
Both of the dissection rooms at King’s are extensively used by multiple groups from undergraduate students to those on surgical training courses, and Kirsty Massetti always plans ahead, ensuring the best possible experience for all users and maintaining the highest standards for the learner experience. She is highly skilled at calmly juggling many challenges at once, balancing the requirements of the Faculty and student satisfaction. Highly respected, Kirsty leads by example and is generous with both her knowledge and her time. She encourages members of her team members to take on tasks and responsibilities and participate in conferences, professional accreditation courses and workshops that support their development. She is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and is working hard to make the facility accessible for students of all abilities. This year she has taken over timetabling for the academic year as well as the designated individual role for the Human Tissue Authority, ensuring the labs are fully compliant.
Education Awards
Outstanding Educator Award
This award recognises an individual academic who not only shows passion and commitment to their own discipline but also excels in creating a positive and engaging learning environment and encouraging student growth. They make a significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality education within their department and/or the Faculty.
Winner:
Professor Aileen King
School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science
As Head of the Teaching Department of Pharmacology, Professor Aileen King consistently supports students to achieve their potential and creates opportunities for them to thrive. Over the past year she has worked with Philanthropy to secure a £500K donation that will enable those from a widening participation background to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the extramural year of pharmacological industry experience where financial constraints would otherwise prevent them from taking part. For the last two years, she has also supported pharmacology students to organise a conference where those who have spent time on placements or those who have undertaken a pharmacology-related King's Undergraduate Research Fellowship programme (KURF), can present their work and gain feedback from staff. Students value her efforts in making them feel part of the department, and this is reflected in consistently high NSS scores.
Technical Support of Education Award
This award recognises a technical individual or team making a significant contribution to teaching within the Faculty.
Winner:
Digital Education Team
Faculty Education Services
The Faculty’s Digital Education Team supports more than 600 modules and 70 programmes through online module development, assessment design, and video and instructional content. The team delivers major improvements to core systems such as curriculum mapping and the education database and builds bespoke web applications that streamline academic processes. Through coordinating research data, contributing to Faculty initiatives, and representing the Faculty on University working groups, they ensure digital education evolves in line with institutional priorities and keeps the Faculty at the forefront of innovation. Their work has had tangible impact, including enhancing digital clinical communication skills and preparing students for culturally and linguistically diverse clinical encounters.
Inclusive Champion Award
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates a values-based commitment to inclusive education and who creates or supports a learning environment in which all students irrespective of background are welcomed, valued, supported and challenged. It celebrates those who embrace the diversity of the student population, are adaptable to their needs and support other educators to enact inclusive teaching and learning practices.
Winner:
Dr Fleur Cantle
GKT School of Medical Education
Dr Fleur Cantle has demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing inclusive education across the GKT School of Medical Education, consistently taking time to understand students’ interests, prior experiences, and learning preferences, and adapting her teaching and support to ensure every learner feels valued and able to succeed.
She has played a central role in ensuring equity and belonging are embedded across teaching and learning and in driving the School’s decolonisation strategy, improving representation and cultural responsiveness within curricula and case materials. She has championed initiatives that directly enhance students’ lived experience, including developing faith guides, introducing and normalising modesty scrubs, and creating Freedom to Speak Up spaces that promote psychological safety, respect, and open communication in clinical learning environments. She shares best inclusive practice widely across King’s, contributing to institution level forums and collaborating with colleagues to improve policy and practice.
Excellent Student Experience Award
This award recognises a team which has made significant contribution to the enhancement of the student experience, for example through community-building initiatives, developing belonging and identity for King’s students, creating dynamic and study-specific opportunities for students, and shaping a positive environment on campus.
Winner:
Student Experience Team
Faculty Education Services
The Faculty’s Student Experience Team is constantly exploring and implementing ways to enhance the student experience from instigating the final years formal celebration, populating a tracker so we can monitor student feedback across a wide variety of inputs to more recently driving and succeeding in the development of the new, informal learning and study space at Guys which opened in February. Their enthusiasm and innovative approaches to promoting the National Student Survey to students has led to the highest ever response rates across the Faculty.
Excellent Student Support Award
This award recognises a team which makes a real difference when students face personal, academic, wellbeing, or pastoral challenges during their time at King’s.
Winner:
The MBBS Academic Support Team
GKT School of Medical Education
Over the last year, the MBBS Academic Support Team has unified previously separate strands of student support within the GKT School of Medical Education into a single, efficient system. As a result, students receive timely, compassionate and transparent support, improving their experience, wellbeing, resilience and outcomes. Under the leadership of Dr Elena Nikiphorou, the team has strengthened and aligned the work of personal tutors and student placement tutors, with additional focus on neurodivergent students by recognising diverse learning needs and reducing barriers to engagement and progression. They also ensure tailored support for students across diverse and intersectional groups. Students consistently report feeling validated and understood, often for the first time in their academic journey. The team provides high-quality individual and group pastoral guidance with empathy, insight and professionalism, creating an environment where students feel safe, heard and supported to succeed.
Excellent Assessment & Feedback Award
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates a strong commitment to enacting the principles of Transforming Assessment for Students at King’s (TASK). It celebrates those who have designed meaningful formative learning opportunities, engaging and authentic assessments and approaches to feedback which equip students for academic success.
Winner:
Professor Esther Bell
Centre for Education
A key part of Professor Esther Bell’s work has been helping colleagues implement consistent, student-centred assessment approaches in alignment with TASK. She was invited to join the Faculty’s ‘TASK Force’, which oversaw the evaluation of all modules within Bioscience Education and liaison with undergraduate module leads to redesign assessments that were TASK compliant. Her advice and guidance have made it easier for modules to adopt best practice in a way that feels manageable and meaningful for staff and beneficial for students.
She has also led the development and evaluation of optional assessment formats, allowing students to choose between, for example, a presentation or an essay. This flexibility allows students to feel more in control of their learning and better able to demonstrate their strengths, while still meeting the intended learning outcomes.
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom Award
This award recognises an individual (academic or professional services) who demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing students’ learning experiences outside the traditional classroom environment. It might celebrate those who provide meaningful co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that support students’ personal, academic, and professional development. It could also highlight contributions that help students make connections between their academic studies and the wider world.
Winner:
Dr Niki Jakeways
GKT School of Medical Education
Dr Niki Jakeways has led the design, development and embedding of GP Simulation Clinics for the MBBS programme, which have received excellent feedback from students. In these sessions, more than 400 undergraduate medical students take turns, in small groups, to role-play and see simulated patients, facilitated by a GP tutor. The sessions have additional curricular value since they enable students to understand more about how primary and secondary care work together and the primary care context. The simulated clinics allow students to practice beyond their current competency in a safe environment, without patient safety concerns, where they can learn from mistakes.
Innovation in Education Award
This award recognises an individual or team taking an innovative approach to designing effective learning environments and/or delivering creative and inspirational teaching. This could include using AI.
Winner:
SImConverse MPharm Team
School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences
As Director of Clinical Practice, Dr Nilesh Patel has transformed the organisation and delivery of clinical teaching across the MPharm programme. He implemented AI enhanced clinical simulation through SImConverse, an AI driven virtual patient platform. And, as Simulations Lead, Dr Mais Iflaifel has played a similarly pivotal role.
SImConverse is an innovative tool that enables students to practice their clinical communication and decision-making skills in a safe and low-stakes environment. It supports repeated practice at an individual pace, allowing students to learn not only from successes but from mistakes, an invaluable pedagogical approach that is difficult to achieve in traditional simulation settings.
Executive Dean’s Special Award for Lifetime Contribution
Executive Dean’s Special Awards for Lifetime Contribution
Winner:
Professor Simon Howell
Professor Simon Howell is retiring from his role Director of Academic Estates Strategy for Health Campuses and Guy’s Campus Dean having overseen a number of key strategic capital projects over recent years. These have included the Smart Trials Hub and the Cell and Gene Therapy Facility, the Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People at Denmark Hill and of course the new Guy’s Informal Learning Space for students on the ground floor of Addison House.
Professor Howell’s research interests are in diabetes, in particular in the mechanism and regulation of insulin secretion. He was awarded the RD Laurence lectureship of the British Diabetic Association and the Minkowski Prize of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in recognition of his research. He has also been a member of Council of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and of the Association of Medical Research Charities and was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the charity Diabetes UK 2006-2009.