11 April 2024
Are you an early career researcher looking to improve your peer review skills and gain an understanding of academic publishing and the editorial process?
Our new mentoring scheme provides the opportunity for a 10-month partnership with Associate Editors of Rheumatology Advances in Practice.
You will receive individual advice and guidance, be able to complete joint reviews, and attend our peer review masterclass in addition to an introductory session on academic publishing with the Editor-in-Chief of Rheumatology Advances in Practice, Dr Ai Lyn Tan.
We are recruiting from 18 April – 20 May and will match participants to Associate Editor roles based on their areas of expertise.
The scheme will run from June 2024 to April 2025.
Please apply to the scheme by Monday 20 May, and see below for further details on our mentors.
If you have any questions about our mentoring scheme please email eward@rheumatology.org.uk.
Meet the mentors
- Dr Ai Lyn Tan
Specialisms: Imaging techniques, rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions, and impact of exercise and physical activity
What is your research interest?
I use imaging techniques like MRI and ultrasound to look into the joints and muscles to understand the pathogenesis of rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions, and how exercise and physical activity affects them.
What do you enjoy about rheumatology?
I find rheumatology interesting because it can affect different parts of the body in many ways, allowing for a variety of therapies in a holistic approach.
Why do you want to be a mentor?
Being a mentor has been very rewarding for me. I enjoy empowering colleagues to be a better version of themselves.
What is a fun fact about yourself/ your favourite hobbies.
I love running and have been doing so every day for over four years, and counting!
- Dr Fabian Proft
Specialisms: Spondyloarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis
What is your research interest?
My primary research interest lies in spondyloarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis.
What do you enjoy about rheumatology?
What I find most rewarding about rheumatology is the opportunity to engage with the community and tackle challenging clinical cases in a manner reminiscent of Doctor House or Sherlock Holmes. This aspect of my work allows me to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a clinical setting, providing a unique and deeply satisfying intellectual challenge.
Why do you want to be a mentor?
My desire to be a mentor stems from the significant benefits I experienced from mentorship myself. Having been fortunate enough to receive invaluable guidance and support, I am keen to give back to the community. I believe that by sharing my knowledge and experiences, I can help nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals, aiding their personal and professional development.
What is a fun fact about yourself/your favourite hobbies?
A fun fact about me is that I used to play field hockey at a competitive level. It's a passion that I'm now passing on to my three boys, aged nine, six, and three, who all play for the same club in Berlin that I grew up with. Watching them engage with the sport and develop their skills brings me immense joy and pride, making it one of my favourite hobbies alongside following the sport.
- Dr Chris Wincup
Specialisms: Systemic lupus erythematosus, including neuropsychiatric lupus, and B cell depleting therapies
What is your research interest?
I am primarily interested in the investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. My main motivation is to answer many of the common questions that patients will ask us in the clinic. This predominantly focuses on changes within the immune system and seeking to identify particular markers that may explain the outlook for patients in the long-term. I also have an interest in factors associated with response to treatment (particularly B cell depleting therapies). My other main research interest relates to neuropsychiatric lupus.
What do you enjoy about rheumatology?
I love the fact that no two days are the same! It is also so exciting to be involved in a speciality that is changing so rapidly. New medication is coming in quickly and this is bringing along a number of other important questions, such as ‘which medicine will work for which person, and when?’ It’s so exciting to see some recent advances that entirely change the way you think about the conditions you are treating in practice. I also think it is fantastic to be in a field where you balance the incredibly interesting immunology of disease with the very person and patient-facing aspect of managing chronic diseases.
Why do you want to be a mentor?
I am forever indebted to the amazing mentors that I have had throughout my career to date. I remember some incredibly senior clinicians and academics giving me their time when I was a medical student and those early discussions with rheumatologists really inspired me to pursue this career, so I know how impactful mentorship can be. I also am acutely aware of the challenges faced by trainees and early career researchers so wanted to be able to share the tips and tricks that I have found in negotiating the system!
What is a fun fact about yourself/ your favourite hobbies.
I have two incredibly hyperactive and very funny dogs (Chip and Frank). They frequently try to enter into any online meetings that I am doing from home and are absolutely the best! When I’m not at work, I enjoy travelling and going to music festivals (and often try to combine both hobbies)!
- ProfKeegan Knittle
Specialisms: Physical activity, patient-centred healthcare services, data collection methods, and motivational and behavioural processes
What is your research interest?
My research centres on three areas
- Developing and testing theory-based physical activity promotion interventions in clinical and community-based settings
- Using intensive longitudinal data collection methods to model motivational and behavioural processes within-persons
- Using theory, evidence and co-design methods to develop patient-centred healthcare services that optimally support health-related behaviour
What do you enjoy about rheumatology?
Physical activity plays an important role in most rheumatic conditions, as do other behaviours like smoking and medication adherence. I think that the field of rheumatology has embraced the role of psychology and behavioural science in trying to promote behaviour changes in patients. This is different than some other fields I have worked in, which are less willing to explore psychological aspects and patient-centredness in behaviour change.
Why do you want to be a mentor?
Peer reviewing is a vital piece of the scientific process, but it often seems daunting for early career researchers. Helping others learn how to effectively and efficiently peer review scientific articles is important and could also be an enjoyable way to network.
What is a fun fact about yourself/ your favourite hobbies.
In my free time, I enjoying playing basketball, football and disc golf, doing DIY/carpentry, and playing the guitar.
- Dr Mike Backhouse
Specialisms: Podiatry, rheumatology
What is your research interest?
I’m a podiatrist and an Associate Professor in Warwick Clinical Trials Unit. My research aims to change the lives of people with foot and ankle problems through pragmatic multicentre clinical trials.
What do you enjoy about rheumatology?
Everything, but especially the people; both patients and health professionals.
Why do you want to be a mentor?
I’ve had support from others throughout my career and know how helpful that has been. Publishing is a key part of research, and this scheme will help early career researchers gain a unique insight into the publishing process – I would have loved it and I’m keen to share it with others.
- Dr Vivekanand Tiwari
Specialisms: GCA, PMR, VEXAS syndrome
What is your research interest?
GCA, PMR, VEXAS syndrome.
What do you enjoy about rheumatology?
The intellectual challenge and the longitudinal relationship with the patients.
Why do you want to be a mentor?
Teaching is my passion; I find it the best tool for learning and growing. I hope to pass along what I have learned through my experience and what my mentors taught me.
What is a fun fact about yourself/ your favourite hobbies?
I enjoy reading, Jet skiing when I can, and spending time with family.
- Dr Latika Gupta
Specialism: Myositis, equity and digital health
What is your research interest?
Myositis, equity and digital health.
What do you enjoy about rheumatology?
Being a rheumatologist is akin to the Sherlock Holmes of medicine, summoned when the clinical picture fails to make sense. This enigmatic nature keeps the ever-expanding field exciting, multisystemic, and rife with meaningful discoveries.
Why do you want to be a mentor?
The joy of mentorship lies in a deeper understanding and discovery, and co-creating, a pro-growth experience for the mentor as much as the mentee.
What is a fun fact about yourself/ your favourite hobbies.
I enjoy travelling, photography and reading.
Other mentors:
- Dr Mwidimi Ndosi
Specialism: Nursing, rheumatoid arthritis, quality of health care, rehabilitation, patient education, quality of life
- Prof Xiaoming Shu
Specialisms: Basic science, genetics, myositis, biomarkers
- Dr Yuzaiful Yusof
Specialisms: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögrens disease rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, biomarkers, B cells