Meet the Team
The Assured study is led by researchers at City St George’s, University of London and in collaboration with experts across the UK.
Professor Rose McCabe, Chief Investigator
Rose is a psychologist specialising in professional-patient communication in mental health care. She records professional-patient encounters and micro-analyses verbal and nonverbal communication.
Dr Alexandra Bakou, Program/Trial Manager
Alexandra has a background in psychology and neurosciences. She works as a Trial Manager for the Assured Study. Her PhD focused on investigating the relationship between negative affect and hazardous drinking, identifying mechanisms and developing brief, evidence-based interventions. She has a particular interest in addiction and substance use.
Katie Webb, Research Assistant
Katie has a BSc in Psychology from Bournemouth University and an MSc in Psychology, Culture and Evolution from Brunel University London. Before joining the Assured team, she worked as a Research Assistant at the University of York, investigating a brief gender-sensitive psychological intervention for male NHS workers, she has also previously worked in various roles in the health and social care sector. Katie is passionate about improving access and outcomes in mental health services.
Maria Sanchez Elena, Research Assistant
Maria is a Clinical Research Practitioner in the Research & Development team at Devon Partnership Trust. She has held various clinical roles, including as a support worker in the Perinatal Mental Health Unit and Psychological Tele-coach Practitioner in the First Response Service. Maria’s PhD explored the relationships between life satisfaction, personality styles, and adaptive coping in individuals with chronic physical conditions. Maria is currently coordinating the moreRESPECT study on sexual health in people with severe mental illness and served as an interventionist for the ASSURED study.
Megan Consterdine, Research Assistant
Megan is a psychology graduate with an MSc in Psychology, working as a Research Assistant on the ASSURED study at the Devon Partnership Trust. Her research focuses on perinatal mental health, serious mental illness, and the experiences of carers for those with dementia. With a background in complex community care and psychological support in Cancer Services, she is passionate about improving access to research and using findings to shape future healthcare opportunities for patients.
Tara Jackson, Research Administrator
Tara holds a BSc in Psychology from Cardiff University, where she discovered her passion for psychological research and improving mental health outcomes. After graduating, Tara gained hands-on experience as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting the social and educational development of young adults with learning, language, and mental health difficulties. Motivated by her aspiration to advance in psychological research, she joined the SASH and ASsuRED trials, drawn to their alignment with her dedication to improving timely and effective mental health care.
Charlotte Butter, Research Assistant
Charlotte completed her Psychology BSc at Newcastle University, including a placement year at Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, within the CAMHS neurodevelopmental service. She then worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Manchester, within the Social Development Research Group, with a particular focus on autism and rare genetic disorders. Prior to joining the Assured team, Charlotte completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Mental Health Care, training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in Greater Manchester. Throughout these roles, she has developed an interest in the importance of early interventions, and in adapting interventions to support individuals’ needs.
Interns
Past teams members
Co-Investigators:
- Dr Peter Aitken, Devon Partnership NHS Trust
- Professor Vera Araujo Soares, University of Twente
- Professor Richard Byng, Plymouth University
- Professor Chris Dickens, University of Exeter
- Professor Richard Hooper, Queen Mary University of London
- Dr Domenico Giacco, University of Warwick
- Professor Navneet Kapur, University of Manchester
- Dr Will Lee, University of Exeter
- Professor Borislava Mihaylova, Queen Mary University of London
- Paul Norris, Binary Vision
- Professor Stefan Priebe, Queen Mary University of London
- Dr Peter Riou, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Mary Ryan, PPI representative
- Professor Alan Simpson, Kings College London
- Dr Helen Smith, Devon Partnership NHS Trust
