Dr Alison May Berner (she/her) (Chief Investigator) is an NIHR clinical lecturer at Barts Cancer Institute, QMUL and the UK’s only dual trainee in medical oncology (Barts Health) and gender identity medicine (Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust). Her research centres on reducing cancer care inequalities according to sex, gender and sexual orientation. She is chief investigator (CI) of the Self-TI study (sponsored by QMUL, funded by the National Institutes for Health), investigating feasibility and acceptability of self-testing for human papillomavirus in transgender individuals. She is the lead for the UK Cancer and Transition Service, a national clinic integrating of cancer and gender-affirming care. She is also the president of British Association Gender Identity Specialists.
Stewart O’Callaghan (they/them) (Hon DSc, MSc, BSc) is the award winning Founder and CEO of OUTpatients, the UK’s LGBTIQ+ cancer charity. Building upon their personal experience of cancer and its services, the charity is proudly patient-led and working to improve the representation, information and support available to LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer. They are active in both research and education on LGBTIQ+ cancer care and outcomes, and have a specialist interest in transgender oncosexology.
Rue Ball (she/they) (Co-Investigator) is a Clinical Scientist who in her everyday job assures the quality of biochemistry tests for NHS patients, and advises other healthcare staff about how to use and interpret them. Rue also does research to improve how hospital labs care for trans and non-binary people, including the world’s largest study of normal blood test results in trans volunteers.
Ms Elleni Takele (she/her) (Clinical Trial Manager) has over 7 years experience in clinical trial management across academic and public health settings. She helps run the TransPRIDE study day to day. She works with clinics, researchers, and community partners to make sure the study is set up properly, runs smoothly, and treats participants with care and respect. Her role includes supporting study sites, coordinating timelines, and helping ensure the study is inclusive and accessible.
