RW-ILS welcomes its 2026 cohort of research talent

30 August 2026

Over the coming weeks, The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies (RW-ILS) will welcome a new intake of Fellows and PhD students, with eight researchers beginning projects across a range of clinical and scientific challenges.

Funded by the Foundation for Liver Research, the Institute's fellowship schemes are designed to provide talented clinicians and researchers with the time, support and opportunity needed to develop their expertise and progress their research careers.

Helping clinicians build research careers

Two new Clinical Catalyst Fellows, Dr Sameer Patel and Dr Tassos Grammatikopoulos, begin on September 1st.

Working with Dr Mark McPhail, Sameer will investigate anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), addressing an important challenge in the management of patients.

Tassos, meanwhile, will work with Dr Vishal Patel and Dr Serena Kyrana on the set-up of an NIHR clinical trial, to investigate whether a common beta blocker (carvedilol) can help prevent gastrointestinal bleeding in children with portal hypertension.

Also joining on September 1st are two new Pre-Doctoral Clinical Research Fellows, Dr Christopher Harlow and Dr Samuel Tribich.

Christopher will work with Dr Vishal Patel and Prof Avijit Bannerjee to investigate the role of the oral microbiome in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Alongside his continued clinical training, the fellowship will give Christopher the opportunity to develop preliminary research with a view to doctoral-level study.

Samuel will work with Dr Deepak Joshi to investigate copper metabolism in cholestatic liver disease, exploring why copper builds up in the liver and the impact this may have on cell function and patient outcomes.

Our Pre-Doctoral Clinical Research Fellowship gives clinicians in the early stage of their research careers dedicated academic time alongside their clinical training, helping them develop their own research programmes and progress towards a PhD.

Investing in future leaders

Two new researchers will soon join RW-ILS through its PhD Pathway, with Jae-Eun Lee and Ayma Asif beginning their four-year programmes in October. Both will undertake rotations before selecting their PhD projects, working initially with Dr Anna Hadjihambi.

The 2026 intake also marks the arrival of the first two recipients of our Emerging Leaders Fellowship, with Dr Anthony Baptista joining in October and Dr James Cleland following in 2027. This scheme supports researchers at a crucial stage of their careers, giving them the opportunity to launch an ambitious independent research programme, while developing the collaborations and expertise needed to become future leaders.

Professor Philip Newsome, Director of the Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our 2026 cohort of Fellows and PhD students. Developing the next generation of liver researchers is a key part of what we do at RW-ILS, and we’re pleased to give these talented clinicians and scientists the opportunity to develop their research, make new discoveries and drive innovation in liver medicine."

From the clinic to the laboratory, these researchers will be working alongside colleagues across RW-ILS and the wider King's research community, bringing different perspectives to some of the biggest challenges in liver disease. From all of us here at the Foundation, we wish you the very best of luck.

Follow us on LinkedIn as we introduce our 2026 Fellows and share more about their research over the coming weeks.

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