Team Member

I am a PhD student in Computer Science in the University of Birmingham, and my research focuses on the application of multimodal fusion technology in clinical settings.

Dr Khalil Saadeh is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Academic Clinical Fellow in cardiology and Internal Medicine Resident at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. He completed both his Natural Sciences degree (Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience) and his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Cambridge, graduating with distinction in 2022. He earned a place in the highly competitive Academic Foundation Programme in North London, training at the Royal Free Foundation Trust and University College London. Following this, he secured multiple prestigious NIHR offers to complete an Academic Clinical Fellowship in cardiology and chose to join the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust in 2024.

As an aspiring cardiac electrophysiologist, Khalil is passionate about cardiovascular research with experience spanning clinical, epidemiological, and molecular investigations into cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. His work has been published in important peer-reviewed journals, and he has presented at national and international conferences. His academic achievements and dedication to patient care have been recognised with multiple local, university, and national awards

Previously a Biomedical Scientist within Cellular Pathology, I transitioned into Data Analytics in 2022. The world of health data science absolutely fascinates me, and I am thrilled to be part of the DaRe2THINK team, keen to help improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation. Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with loved ones, whether it’s dining out or going on trips.

Dr Champsi is a NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Clinical Research Fellow specialising in how big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence can help improve the care of patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

As part of his role, he is embedded in the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences health data research team and is involved in the delivery of both the DaRe2THINK and DaRe2THINK-Neurovascular studies.

Completed my master’s in health economics and health policy at the University of Birmingham and have been in clinical research for 8 years. Assists in managing the delivery of the DaRe2THINK trial in Primary Care; conducts training and monitors progress of recruitment of study sites. Manages the recruitment for the DaRe2THINK Neurovascular sub-study. I love baking cakes and breads for my family and friends.

Alastair is a Trial Team Manager and PhD Student based at the Department of Cardiovascular Science. With nearly 10 years of experience in delivering clinical trial in both cardiology and Primary Care, he has managed a broad portfolio of clinical trials including the first national data enabled clinical trial, DaRe2THINK. His work in healthcare data enabled clinical trials continues as a co-applicant on the Horizon Europe HYPERMARKER clinical trial and work with the West Midlands NHS Subnational Secure Data Environment.

Alastair’s Academic work focuses on the mechanisms linking Atrial Fibrillation, Vascular Disease, and Vascular Dementia.

Dr Shukla is a Director of Health & Care Research, Interim Lead for Primary Care Research Delivery, West Midlands Regional Research Delivery Network with experience of research delivery within Primary Care settings including General Practice.

Dr Shukla is a GP Partner at Eve Hill Medical Practice, in Dudley, a CQC ‘outstanding’ rated practice.

Interests include prescribing, particularly related to antibiotics, use of near patient testing and self-limiting illnesses.

Dr Shukla joined the Institute of Applied Health Research in 2016 having previously worked for the NIHR CRN as a GP Research Champion and CCG Clinical Lead. He started delivering research studies in his practice in 2011 and has recruited patients into many other studies since then, including Commercial (Industry) C-TIMPS.

Dr Shukla has clinical oversight of research delivery for NIHR portfolio studies in the West Midlands.

He works closely with research teams and Clinical Trials Units across the UK, alongside the CRN team of Research Facilitators, Research Nurses, GP and Practice Manager Research Champions and administrators.

Dipak Kotecha is a Professor of Cardiology at the University of Birmingham, and a Consultant Cardiologist specialising in cardiac imaging. He has completed a prestigious National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Fellowship and was awarded the British Cardiovascular Society Michael Davies Medal in 2018 for his contribution to cardiovascular medicine. He works extensively across the 57 countries of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in education, trials and guidelines, and his research focuses on the interaction of heart failure and atrial fibrillation, supported by grants from the NIHR, British Heart Foundation and the European Union. Dipak leads many international collaborations, with interests in public involvement, big data approaches, the application of artificial intelligence, and the use of novel technology (e.g. the cardAIc group). He is passionate about innovative yet pragmatic trial design and healthcare-embedded approaches to improve patient care. This includes the RATE-AF trial (co-designed with a patient and public team), the DaRe2THINK trial (a fully remote, national, randomised trial within the electronic health record), and STEEER-AF (an education trial taking place across 6 countries). Professor Kotecha led the international CODE-EHR framework to improve how healthcare data is used in clinical research, and is chairing the 2024 ESC Guidelines on the management of patients with atrial fibrillation.

He is Digital Trials Committee director for the newly awarded NHS West Midlands Secure Data Environment, Chair of the European Heart Failure Association Committee on Atrial Disorders, and co-leads the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre theme on thrombo-inflammation.

Dipak studied medicine at the University of Bristol and trained as a junior doctor in the south-west of England. After gaining Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 2004 he departed for Australia to gain further clinical and academic experience. He worked as a Cardiology Registrar in Melbourne for 2 years before starting his PhD studies. Registered at the world-leading National Heart & Lung Institute at Imperial College London, the PhD was an international collaborative project with the Royal Brompton Hospital in London and Monash University in Melbourne. Dipak worked with international leaders in their fields, including Professor Marcus Flather (now in Norwich) and the late Professors Philip Poole-Wilson and Henry Krum.

After completing his PhD, Dipak re-joined the NHS in 2009 and was a clinical trainee in Oxford, specialising in cardiac imaging. During this time he continued his academic work, leading to his appointment as a Clinical Lecturer here in Birmingham, and subsequently appointment as a Clinician Scientist and Consultant Cardiologist at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust and Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.

Dipak was awarded Fellowship of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) for his work in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease, and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy for his teaching. In 2016, he commenced his NIHR Career Development Fellowship designed to improve patient wellbeing in those needing rate control for atrial fibrillation. His efforts were recognised in 2018 when he won the British Cardiovascular Society Michael Davies National Award for his early career contribution to cardiovascular medicine.

Dipak is an Honorary Fellow at Monash University in Melbourne (Australia), the University Medical Center in Utrecht (the Netherlands) and the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit in Oxford (UK).