Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group

Professor Elijah R Behr is the Steering Group CAG Director. The aim of the Steering Group to increase engagement across the two institutions and thus membership included relevant Section and Care Group leads and representation from these structures covering basic science and clinical researchers, postdoctoral and PhD fellows and scientists and nursing and allied healthcare professionals. External representation from the Institute of Population Health addresses epidemiolocal aspects of Cardiovascular research and education.  Joint Research and Enterprise Services (JRES), Research Services, Academic Training and Patient Representatives are also included.  

Other processes or groups were established over time to assist in delivery of the objectives of the CAG which included a Brainstorming Group, a Patient Engagement Group and a Website Development Group. All report back to the Steering Group with specific responsible members. 

The Terms of Reference are here. 

The Research Working Group is led by Professor Maite-Tome Esteban and Dr Daniel Meijles.  The main objective of the Research Working Group is to facilitate research activity across the CAG.​ The group has identified key measurable deliverables including: digital presence through online metrics; Clinical Research Network activity by data reporting; funding and resource allocation; fostering research opportunities by developing fora for ideas and collaboration; and cross theme initiatives.  Enhancing core research infrastructure is another focus for Working Group development. 

The Education Working Group is led by Dr Gherardo Finnochiaro. Cross collaboration is key to delivering education through the CAG, with a primary focus on postgraduate degrees and short courses. CAG MSc courses and their development have progressed with several of our academic and clinical staff leading and contributing to the Heart Failure MSc and Sports Cardiology MSc. CAG Clinicians contribute to the Clinical Pharmacology BSc and the Genomic Medicine MSc. Short courses have been developed including Cardiovascular Pathology, ECG and Imaging courses. Joint Clinical Academic Group symposia are also a feature.

The NAHP Research Working Group is led by Professor Heather Jarman.  The Nursing and Allied Health Professional Working Group aims to encourage interdisciplinary research activity and higher educational degrees by nurses, physiologist and physician assistants.  This is a particular strength of St. George’s as a healthcare focused University with a single campus and highly accessible postgraduate courses. 

The Research Seminar Committe is led by Dr Angeliki Asimaki.  The CAG runs monthly Research Seminars for speakers that include early career researchers (post-graduates and post-doctoral staff), general talks by PIs and occasional external speakers with the aim of raising awareness of cardiovascular research of all forms across SGUL. This also provides a training platform for junior researchers to allow discussion of research projects, papers and proposals between basic scientists and clinicians within cardiovascular research.  The goal is to improve our approach to translational research and increase exposure between clinical and basic science.