Gill Archibald - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR

Gill Archibald

Administrator

Gill Archibald, BA

Administrator

  • Gill has a BA (Joint Hons) in English and Library Studies from Loughborough University.
  • Prior to joining KSR, Gill worked in various information/research roles at a leading management consultancy, a major government department, and a further education college working with undergraduate students. She has covered a variety of subject fields from the energy industries, through crime and criminal justice to land-based industries. During this time, as well as supporting researchers, she has managed projects, taught information literacy skills, and copyedited and edited various publications including reports, publicity materials and a national website.
  • In her spare time, Gill enjoys gardening and dance classes. After researching apple varieties, she is just about to plant a new apple tree, and is having a go a printmaking as a craft interest.
Nigel Armstrong, PhD

Nigel Armstrong

Health Economics Manager

Nigel Armstrong, PhD

Health Economics Manager

Joy Chen - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR Independent research company

Jiongyu Chen

Health Economist / Systematic Reviewer

Jiongyu Chen, MSc

Health Economist / Systematic Reviewer

  • After completing her undergraduate studies at China Pharmaceutical University (CPU), majoring in Pharmaceutical Management, Joy obtained an MSc in Health Economics at the University of York.
  • Her research interests encompass the economic evaluation and systematic review of health interventions. She is enthusiastic about learning various economic evaluation approaches.
  • Joy is a dog lover who owns a dog encyclopaedia to learn all about dogs, even though she does not yet have a dog of her own. She enjoys playing the piano, and used to play the cello in the university symphony orchestra.
Team member KSR

Rachel Croft

Information Specialist

Rachel Croft, MA

Information Specialist

  • After obtaining her BA (hons) in English at the Liverpool John Moores University, she completed her MA in Librarianship at the University of Sheffield.
  • Prior to joining KSR Ltd, Rachel worked in NHS Medical Libraries and University Libraries in librarianship roles.
  • Her professional interests include promoting Health Literacy and getting complex medical information across to vulnerable groups in the most accessible way possible.
  • When she is not nose deep in a book, Rachel loves to go for a hike or swim.
Jeanette Kleijnen - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR

Jeanette Kleijnen

Director & Consultant

Jeanette Kleijnen, BA (Hons)

Director & Consultant

  • Jeanette has more than 25 years of experience in research administration and office management, having previously worked at the Royal College of Physicians and at the Universities of Leeds and York.
  • Outside of work, Jeanette enjoys gardening, particularly trying to find new plants which the wild deer will not consume, and looking after her growing flock of chickens.
Jos Kleijnen - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR Independent research company

Jos Kleijnen

Founding Director

Jos Kleijnen, MD, PhD

Founding Director

  • Following his graduation as a physician from medical school, Jos pursued a career as a clinical epidemiologist and has a wealth of experience in conducting and disseminating systematic reviews and other research.
  • He was the founding Director of the Dutch Cochrane Centre (1994-1998); Professor and Director of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York, UK (1998-2005); Clinical Professor at the Joanna Briggs Institute at the University of Adelaide, Australia (2011-2016); Professor of Systematic Reviews in Health Care at the School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, The Netherlands (2011-2021); and is a member of several Methods Working Groups of the Cochrane Collaboration.
  • He is a member of various steering groups and advisory committees related to systematic reviews and health technology assessment.
  • Jos enjoys teaching courses on systematic reviews and EBM; and supporting the development of high-quality clinical guidelines. He was the external examiner of the MSc course International Health Technology Assessment, Pricing and Reimbursement at the University of Sheffield (2016-2019).
  • Jos is also in the process of getting qualifications in wine, and particularly enjoys the practical exams of his studies.
Will Linden - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR Independent research company

Willemijn Linden

Database Manager

Willemijn Linden, MA

Database Manager

  • After finishing her BA in Arts and Culture in Maastricht, Will obtained her MA in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University in September 2017.
  • While finishing her MA degree, Will completed two internships at Oxford University Press: one in marketing and one in editorial.
  • Her professional interests are varied and include software development, user experience testing, and web design.
  • Will is an accomplished baker (her colleagues’ words!), and enjoys playing non-competitive hockey with an entirely too competitive attitude on the weekends.
Team member KSR

Kevin McDermott

Systematic Reviewer

Kevin McDermott, MSc

Systematic Reviewer

  • After completing his Honours degree in physiology, Kevin pursued postgraduate studies in Molecular Physiology and followed this up with periods in laboratory research. He is currently pursuing his doctoral research.
  • He has experience of several areas of bench work across cell culture, 3D tissue modelling and use of murine models as well as in delivering scientific education.
  • Kevin has varied interests across health research and physiology but is particularly interested in human performance, movement, musculoskeletal function across the lifespan, digital health technologies, and the application of systematic evidence synthesis and quality appraisal to generate rational data driven conclusions on questions of health and medicine.
  • Kevin is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys strength training, hiking and calisthenics. He is a passionate reader and is interested in Jacobean history, and the reformation era. He also enjoys real ales, strong coffee, and metal detecting in the hills of Scotland.
Caro Noake

Caro Noake

Senior Information Specialist

Caro Noake, MA

Senior Information Specialist

  • After completing a BA Hons in American Studies and Visual Arts from Keele University, Caro obtained an MA in Information and Library Studies from Northumbria University.
  • Prior to joining KSR Ltd, Caro spent 10 years working in higher education libraries. Past roles include subject librarian for the social sciences at the University of Bradford and Learner Support Librarian for a range of departments including the medical school at Durham University.
  • Her professional interests include the delivery of training both internally and externally, at conferences and for other organisations. Workshops delivered include methods for the undertaking of searches for systematic reviews and best practice in the reporting of search methods in line with PRISMA requirements.
  • Caro enjoys swimming, pilates and running with her greyhound Luna. She is also a regular visitor to local arts events like York open studios, and is currently trying her hand at crafts such as felting and upcycling old furniture.
Susan O'Meara - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR Independent research company

Susan O'Meara

Reviews Manager

Susan O'Meara, PhD

Reviews Manager

  • Sue qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1982. After later completing a BSc in Business Studies at the University of Roehampton, Sue undertook an MSc in Health Economics at the University of York. Later Sue graduated with a PhD entitled “Studies in chronic wound healing: synthesising data and measuring ulcer dimensions” for which she won the K. M. Stott Memorial Award for “Best PhD Thesis” from the University of York.
  • She has been involved in the design, conduct and management of systematic reviews in diverse healthcare topic areas for over two decades. She designed and performed the first collaborative individual patient data meta-analysis in clinical trials of venous leg ulcer treatment. Prior to joining KSR, Sue held academic research and teaching posts at the Universities of York and Leeds (UK).
  • Sue is currently an author with Cochrane Skin and Cochrane Wounds and was previously a peer reviewer and editor with Cochrane Wounds. She is a member of the Royal College of Nursing and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
  • Her professional interests include systematic review and data synthesis in the management of chronic diseases and teaching/training in evidence-based practice.
  • When not at work, Sue relaxes by walking in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside whilst spotting wildlife. In the warmer weather, she enjoys swimming in the sea.
Team member KSR

Mubarak Patel

Systematic Reviewer

Mubarak Patel, PhD

Systematic Reviewer

  • Mubarak completed his BSc in Exercise and Sport Sciences and his MSc in Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, where he was also awarded Dean’s commendations for high academic achievement. Following his MSc, Mubarak achieved a PhD in Engineering, also at the University of Exeter. His PhD focused on the use of wearable inertial measurement units to continuously monitor and assess potential fall risk factors among older adults.
  • In 2016, Mubarak conducted primary research with the Royal Marines whilst simultaneously undertaking his MSc degree. Prior to and during that time, he also engaged in research with the Exeter Chiefs Rugby club, Exeter City Football Club’s academy and various other projects within sport and health sciences, engineering, and computer science. Mubarak’s MSc dissertation was published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine and was focused on the effect of manipulating footwear and foot strike modality on Achilles tendon loading during running. The literature review from his PhD thesis was also published in Gait and Posture. Mubarak has presented his published research and additional work at multiple international conferences.
  • His professional interests are varied and include wearable inertial measurement units, fall prevention in older adults, physiological and biomechanical effects of aging, bone and joint health, biomechanics for injury prevention and performance, evidence synthesis and ultimately, health-based research to improve patient quality of life.
  • Mubarak is an avid sports enthusiast, with footballing knowledge ranging from the Premier League to the Yorkshire Amateur League. He is a former national level ‘child chess prodigy’ who went on to achieve the rank of ‘Grandmaster’ in League of Legends.
Team member KSR

Victoria Penrose

Admin Coordinator

Victoria Penrose

Admin Coordinator

  • Her expertise lies in searching the internet for full text articles/studies, and proof reading/copy editing final reports before submission to the commissioners.
  • Prior to working at KSR, Victoria worked as a PA to the Managing Director of a very large blue-chip company in Leeds before taking a career break to have a family. Victoria then returned to an administrative position in an accountancy practice, followed by becoming a PA/paraplanner to a financial planning expert before being offered the opportunity of Office Manager for a national construction company.
  • Victoria has a wealth of PA/secretarial/administrative experience at senior levels which have been gained over the past 30+ years in a number of different industries.
  • Victoria’s personal interests are spending quality time with her partner, daughters and grandson, and she especially likes going for a walk with her dachshund Dexter before cuddling up on the sofa and watching a good boxset!
Team member KSR

Mark Perry

Systematic Reviewer

Mark Perry, PhD

Systematic Reviewer

  • Mark gained a BEd in Education in 1990, before completing his BSc in Physiotherapy in 1996. After 4 years of clinical practice as a physiotherapist, he started in research at the University of East London in 2000, before moving to King’s College London. He carried out his PhD there from 2002 to 2005, into the effects of ageing on muscle performance. Mark carried out his post-doctoral studies at Curtin University, Australia, evaluating risk factors for adolescent spinal pain as part of the long-term Raine Study.
  • In 2008, Mark moved to the Sports Medicine department of Queen Mary, University of London, where he supervised student research projects and taught Research Methods and Statistics. He then worked as research fellow on several NICE guidelines from 2010 to 2015 at the National Guideline Centre. After two years of teaching Statistics and Research Methods at Singapore Institute of Technology, Mark worked as a systematic reviewer at the Bradford Institute for Health Research, before returning to the National Guideline Centre for another 4 years.
  • Mark is a committed advocate of best practice in all areas of clinical research, so that poor methodology and conflicts of interest are not permitted to bias research outcomes or subsequent clinical practice.
  • Mark is a keen sportsman, having previously competed as a club-level 400m runner for many years.
Lisa Stirk, MScEcon

Lisa Stirk

Senior Information Specialist

Lisa Stirk, MScEcon

Senior Information Specialist

  • After completing a BA Hons in Language and Linguistic Science from the University of York, Lisa obtained an MSc Econ in Information and Library Studies from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
  • Prior to joining KSR Ltd, she worked as an Information Specialist at the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York, and at the House of Commons library in London as a Library Executive.
  • Her professional interests include advanced search methods in systematic reviews, and the use of Endnote reference management software.
  • Lisa enjoys keeping active in her spare time and has recently started taking dance classes! She also enjoys cooking, reading and crochet.
Xiaoyu Tian - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR Independent research company

Xiaoyu Tian

Health Economist / Systematic Reviewer

Xiaoyu Tian, MSc

Health Economist / Systematic Reviewer

  • After finishing her BSc in Pharmacy at China Pharmaceutical University, Chelsea obtained her MSc in Health Economics at the University of York.
  • In 2022, Chelsea completed an internship at University of Oxford in Health Economics while finishing her MSc degree.
  • Her professional interest is decision analyst models constructing.
  • Chelsea enjoys cooking, travelling and working out. She also loves dogs, always making time to pet other people’s dogs whenever she meets one.
Marie Westwood, PhD

Marie Westwood

Reviews Manager

Marie Westwood, PhD

Reviews Manager

  • Marie has a background in biochemistry (BSc Biological and Medicinal Chemistry, PhD Biochemistry of the complications of Diabetes Mellitus, MSc Clinical Biochemistry).
  • She has worked on the application of evidence synthesis techniques to diagnostic questions since the late 1990s. Before joining KSR Ltd, she was responsible for a program of research on the application of systematic review methodology to diagnostic, prognostic and screening questions at the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) at the University of York, and co-authored CRD’s guidance for undertaking systematic reviews. Prior to her involvement in evidence synthesis, worked as a clinical biochemist in the NHS.
  • Her current research interests are focused on the methodology of primary studies and evidence synthesis as used to assess the performance of clinical tests. She is a member of the QUADAS and PROBAST steering groups, which are concerned respectively, with the development of tools for assessing the methodological quality of diagnostic accuracy and prediction studies included in systematic review.
  • Marie is a keen hill walker and gardener and she also enjoys knitting and baking (because it rains quite a lot in Yorkshire).
Robert Wolff - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews KSR Independent research company

Robert Wolff

Managing Director

Robert Wolff, MD

Managing Director

  • After finishing his medical education at the universities of Berlin and Freiburg, Robert worked as a paediatrician in Freiburg. During this time, he also worked as a researcher for Cochrane Germany.
  • Robert is a member of the Cochrane Comparing Multiple Interventions Group and the Cochrane Prognosis Methods Group. He is also member of the German Network for Evidence Based Medicine and the GRADE Working Group.
  • He is a member of the ROBIS (Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews) group, contributed to QUAPAS (Quality Assessment of Prognostic Accuracy Studies), and is a member of the steering group for PROBAST, a tool to assess risk of bias and applicability of prediction model studies.
  • His professional interests are varied and include guideline methodology, prognostic topics, knowledge translation and teaching evidence-based medicine.
  • In his spare time, Robert enjoys travelling and playing board games – though not at the same time.
Huiqin Yang

Huiqin Yang

Reviews Manager / Statistician

Huiqin Yang, PhD

Reviews Manager / Statistician

Huiqin joined KSR Ltd as a reviews manager in September 2023. Her role involves managing and leading systematic reviews and HTAs for the NICE Health Technology Appraisal Programme. Huiqin has over 16 years’ experience in systematic reviews, HTAs, evidence synthesis and meta-analyses. She has led a wide range of systematic reviews and HTAs to inform evidence-based recommendations for innovative therapeutic technologies and medical devices/diagnostic technologies for NICE and the UK National Screening Committee (NSC).

  • Huiqin has a PhD in Medical Decision Making and a MSc. in Health Services Research from the University of York.
  • Huiqin was Deputy Director of Pen TAG (Peninsula Technology Assessment Group) and Senior Research Fellow in Health Technology Assessment at the University of Exeter Medical School. She also held a research position at the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (York Technology Assessment Group) at the University of York. Huiqin was Lead Consultant in the Global Health Economics and Outcome Research Practice at ICON Clinical Research.
  • Huiqin is a member of the Cochrane Bias Methods Group and the Cochrane Prognosis Methods Group, as well as the European Society for Medical Decision Making. She has also been an International Associate Editor for BMC Health Servies Research, and was invited to be a referee for Cochrane Library, the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Journal Library Grants for Applied Research Programme and the UK NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme.
  • Her research interests include methods of evidence synthesis, HTAs and medical decision making.
  • In her spare time, Huiqin enjoys playing badminton and table tennis as well as cycling.
Sarah Yelland - Kleijnen Systematic Reviews Ltd

Sarah Yelland

HR & Operations Director

Sarah Yelland, Chartered MCIPD

HR & Operations Director

  • After finishing her post-graduate diploma in Human Resources, Sarah progressed to obtain her chartered MCIPD.
  • Sarah has over 25 years’ experience within HR, Accounts, Payroll, Health and Safety and Office Management across several industry sectors.
  • Her professional interests lie within the HR generalist role whilst gaining an understanding of the medical research industry.
  • Sarah enjoys being active and spending time with family and friends.