Our team combines impressive credentials
with genuine compassion

Our Senior Researchers
 

Professor Stephen McKenna PhD, AFBPsS, C.Psychol

Director of Galen Research

Before co-founding Galen Research in 1989, Stephen worked in various academic departments concerned with clinical, social, occupational and community health. He now specialises in the development of disease-specific questionnaires. He is widely published, lectures around the world and is an internationally recognised expert.

 

Jeanette Thorpe MSc

Operations Manager

Jeanette has vast interviewing experience dealing with numerous conditions. She has in-depth knowledge of interpreting interviewing data and in analysing the results of our questionnaires to provide reliable and useful data.

 

Samantha-Jo Hollings MSc

Researcher

Samantha graduated from the University of Bristol (2022), completing a master’s in Neuropsychology with distinction. Before this, she achieved a second-class with honours degree in Psychology at Lancaster University. Throughout her university education, Samantha developed qualitative and quantitative research skills, pioneering two quantitative research projects. Alongside her studies, Samantha volunteered in patient-facing roles with the Alzheimer’s Society and at Southmead Brain Centre. Samantha is currently leading the development of measures to assess quality of life of both patients and carers of individuals with Huntington’s Disease. 

 

Isobel Spray BSc(Hons)

Research Assistant

Isobel graduated from the University of Manchester (2022), achieving a first-class honors degree in Educational Psychology (BSc). Throughout her degree Isobel gained experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and received an award for her final year qualitative dissertation. Alongside her degree, she was a volunteer counsellor for ChildLine. After graduating, she worked as an EFL teacher in Thailand. Isobel is currently helping to support the development of measures to assess quality of life of both patients of and carers of individuals with Huntington’s Disease.

 

Ellie Johnstone MSc

Research Assistant

Ellie recently graduated from the University of Manchester (2023), completing a master’s in Health Psychology. Before this, she achieved a first-class with honours degree in Education Studies & Psychology at Durham University. Throughout her university education Ellie has developed experience in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Alongside her studies, Ellie worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Manchester, where she had experience liaising with key stakeholders and managing data. Ellie is currently helping to support the development of measures to assess quality of life of both patients of and carers of individuals with Huntington’s Disease.