The research hub in Bedfordshire and Luton aims to help improve patient care in primary and community healthcare services, using global health thinking to solve local problems.
Dr Nagraj will be based at the University’s Primary Care Unit, one of the largest primary care research centres in the UK, within the Department of Public Health and Primary Care. The Unit will provide research expertise and experience about running large-scale research programmes designed to improve patient care and deliver positive impact on people’s health.
Dr Nagraj is excited to begin in this interesting field of work. She said, “I am really excited to take on this innovative role with the East London Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge. I hope that we will create a collaborative model for empowering and inspiring clinicians and communities to engage with high quality, impactful research that is both meaningful and enjoyable for all involved."
Dr Nagraj has extensive experience working with communities in the field of Health Systems research and Implementation Science, with a focus on maternal child health. She has an interest in the application of technology and innovation to improve health and wellbeing across the life course.
Prior to her appointment, Dr Nagraj worked in the Health Systems Collaborative, Centre for Global Health Research in the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and has been recognised for her contributions to research, teaching and the community with a permanent portrait at Green Templeton College, Oxford.
Photograph: Professor Steve Morris, Dr Nagraj and Dr Frank Rohricht
Steve Morris, RAND Professor of Health Services Research, and Head of the Primary Care Unit, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Shobi has joined us. Her skills and experience are very welcome, and will bring great value to our exciting collaboration with the East London Foundation Trust.”
Professor John Danesh, BHF Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine and Head of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, said: “We are delighted to welcome Shobi to the Department as part of our new strategic partnership with the East London Foundation Trust. We are committed to the co-production of insightful research that can lead to real world improvements in the health of populations in Bedfordshire and Luton and beyond.”
Patrick Maxwell, Regius Professor of Physic and Head of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University Of Cambridge, said “This is an important strategic partnership for the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, and for the School of Clinical Medicine, and we are delighted to welcome Dr Nagraj to her role of Assistant Professor of Primary and Community Care."
Dr Frank Rohricht, Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director at ELFT said, "Dr Nagraj's appointment into the newly created clinical-academic post is an exciting step change on ELFTs journey to become a healthcare systems leader.
ELFT's long-standing commitment to fostering clinically relevant Research & Innovation already resulted in internationally recognised service developments and novel complex interventions for the treatment of patients with severe mental illness.
The partnership with the University of Cambridge adds another dimension to our portfolio and will allow us to pursue an applied research agenda across the traditional boundaries of physical and mental health care. Dr Nagraj already has an impressive track record in population health research, we are delighted to welcome her as a colleague."