Research spokespeople

Professor Lucilla Poston

Professor Poston has a background in basic science, beginning with a degree in Physiology from University College London and then a PhD focusing on the role of the sodium ion in volume control. This led to the beginning of her long held interest in cardiovascular function and then, when in post as a lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Physiology in UMDS (United Medical and Dental Schools of Guys and St.Thomas' Hospitals, now part of King's College London, KCL) to studies of cardiovascular function in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Following some internationally recognised studies in this field, Professor Poston was appointed to the Tommy's Chair of Maternal and Fetal Health at KCL which provided the opportunity to expand her interest in pre-eclampsia whilst developing a new research group at KCL to investigate the causes and consequence of low birthweight, thereby pursuing the aims of the Charity. This mulidisciplinary research group, the Maternal and Fetal Research Unit (MFRU) has now been established for 9 years. individual study programmes include investigation of prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsia, mechanism underlying pre-term labour and the developmental origins of cardiovascular disease. Research funding has been attracted from the British Heart Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the BBSRC, the EU and several other funding bodies. In recognition of the success of the Unit and the strength at KCL of research into Reproductive Health, Professor Poston has recently been appointed Head of the New KCL Division of Reproductive Health, Endocrinology and Development. Professor Poston, who has published over 180 papers in scientific journals, was recently honored by election as a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Professor Andrew Shennan

Professor Andrew Shennan is lead clinican in the maternal and fetal research unit, part of the Division of Endocrinology, Reproduction and Development, King's College. He works as Professor of obstetrics based at St. Thomas' Hospital, London. Here he runs a unique preterm birth clinic, seeing high-risk referrals from around the country. His research interests are in this area of preterm birth, and include the mechanisms surrounding birth and interventions to improve outcome. His research also includes investigating methods to predict and prevent pre-eclampsia. He is principal investigator in a number of clinical trials, both nationally and internationally.

Annette Briley, midwife

Annette Briley has been a practising midwife since 1983, and for the past ten years has been based at the Tommy's Maternal & Fetal Research Unit at St Thomas' Hospital in London where she is the Senior Research Midwife and Clinical Trial Manager. Annette has been involved in many different projects run from the Unit, all related to pregnancy complications, and has recently undertaken a small project looking at women's views of antenatal screening tests as part of a Master's degree course. Despite her current role organising and managing clinical trials, she still gets to spend time in busy maternity units, delivering babies. She lives in Kent with her husband and three children.