Meet Our Team
We are a group of doctors, nurses, psychologists, researchers and women with epilepsy who are interested in knowing how to make pregnancy as safe as possible for women with epilepsy and their children.
Study Group
Consultant Neurologist
Dr John Craig
I am a Consultant Neurologist, with a sub-specialty interest in epilepsy, based at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland.
I am also visiting neurologist to Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry. My principal research interest is in the management of epilepsy in pregnancy, in particular the effects of anti-seizure medications on foetal outcomes.
I am co-founder and principal investigator of the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register and sit on the Central Programme Commission of EURAP – An International Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register.
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Epilepsy
Nurse/Midwife
Beth Irwin
I began my nursing career in 1987. Once I qualified I worked as a neurology nurse for approximately 4 years in the regional neurology ward based at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. I then moved into midwifery and worked as a midwife in Oxford and Belfast until taking up my current post as an Epilepsy Nurse/Midwife in January 2003. My Qualifications include an MSc in Epilepsy management.
I have been involved in the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register and its helpline since taking the post in 2003. I specialise in epilepsy and pregnancy and as such I attend a pre-conceptual clinic weekly and a joint epilepsy/obstetric clinic fortnightly. My role also incorporates educational advice and support for adults with epilepsy within Northern Ireland, their families and the professionals involved in their care.
I am privileged to work with supportive colleagues within a good multidisciplinary team where best practice in epilepsy is a priority.
Senior Clinical Lecturer & Paediatric Neuropsychologist
Dr Rebecca Bromley
I undertook my undergraduate psychology degree in 2001-2004 at the University of Liverpool where I soon realised how fascinated I was with the development of the brain. In 2005, I started work as a research assistant on study investigating the developmental outcomes of children born to women with epilepsy. I was astonished by the limited knowledge about the safety of certain antiseizure medications, and a year later in 2006 I started a PhD on this exact topic. During this time I was fortunate to meet hundreds of women and their children as I drove round the North West of England conducting the developmental assessment.
In 2009 I started my formal training to become a clinical psychologist but, continued to work with colleagues at the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register collecting further data on how the children born to women with epilepsy developed throughout childhood.
My working life is now split between The University of Manchester and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where I am co-clinical lead for a multidisciplinary service for children exposed to high risk medications in the womb.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr Matthew Bluett-Duncan
I completed my undergraduate degree in applied psychology in 2009-2012 at Liverpool John Moores University. During that course I developed a keen interest in child development and as a result chose to this as the focus of my thesis when I completed my masters in research methods at the University of Liverpool in 2014.
I completed my PhD as part of a dual-programme between the University of Liverpool and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in Bengaluru, India. As part of this programme I was fortunate enough to spend 2 years living in India, working as part of research study that was looking at similarities and differences in predictors of child development between the UK and India. My PhD focused on understanding the role of postnatal depression and the early caregiving environment on infant neurodevelopment and understanding how cultural factors influence the data generated as part of cross-cultural studies.
In 2020, following my PhD, I was appointed to a postdoctoral position with Dr Rebecca Bromley at the University of Manchester where I was introduced to the area of research investigating how medication use during pregnancy can impact the developmental outcomes of children. I am currently still based at the University of Manchester and working on a number of research studies regarding medication exposure and child outcomes with a specific focus on anti-seizure medications.
Honorary Research Fellow and
Public Engagement Expert
Ngawai Moss
Ngawai is a mother and advocate for women with epilepsy. Her involvement in the EMPIRE research study for pregnant women with epilepsy, ignited her commitment to advancing healthcare and research. Ngawai collaborates extensively with researchers and healthcare professionals to champion patient-centred research and improvements in care for women managing chronic conditions like epilepsy during pregnancy.
Research Assistant
Aoife O’Sullivan
I work as a research assistant within the UK EPR team alongside my role as a PhD Candidate at the University of Manchester.
I am particularly interested in learning about the neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with genetic and exposure conditions.
The goal of my work is to produce useful information that will improve the care and support available to individuals and families affected by these conditions.
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Victoria Taylor
I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist studying at the University of Manchester and working with the UK EPR team. My main area of interest is child development and wellbeing, having worked in a number of NHS services for children, young people and families in and around Manchester prior to training.
Once qualified, I hope to continue working in the area of developmental psychology, whether that be in research or more clinically based.
11,000+
Women with epilepsy and their babies have enrolled to date but we are now on a new journey.
If you have a question please get in touch by completing the form below:
Join Our Study
We are currently enrolling pregnant people with epilepsy to understand the health of their children and how they develop during childhood.
Whether you are on antiseizure medications or not, you are welcome to take part.
You can read the full information sheet by clicking HERE.
Funded and Supported By:
