ProActive

Trial Coordination Team
Dr Kate Williams - Trial Coordinator BSc, PhD Kate Williams is the Trial Co-ordinator for the ProActive Follow-up Study. With a background in scientific laboratory-based research, Kate gained her PhD in the Medical Faculty at the University of Bristol, where she worked for eight years. She joined the Department of Public Health & Primary Care in 2001 as the Trial Co-ordinator for the original ProActive Study. Since then she has co-ordinated the ADDITION studies, a series of studies investigating screening for and treatment of diabetes in primary care. In addition to trial co-ordination responsibilities, Kate is also an academic co-ordinator of the Unit's research.
Ms Julie Grant - Research Assistant BSc (Hons) Julie joined the Department of Public Health & Primary Care in 1999 and has since been involved in recruitment/retention for the Cambridge University Diabetes Trials Portfolio, providing and sustaining the communications interface between study participants for follow-up measures. Julie graduated in 2004 with a degree in Health Studies; her specific interest being Participation in clinical research: factors influencing recruitment of healthy participants for disease prevention studies.
Miss Fiona Whittle - Research Assistant BSc Fiona joined the General Practice and Primary Care Research Unit as a research assistant in 2004. Since then she has worked on a number of studies within the Diabetes Trials Portfolio. Initially working on the ADDITION Studies into screening and treatment of recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes, she is now focusing on the ProActive Follow-Up and the Get Moving Studies. She is currently studying for an MSc in Clinical Trials with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Co-Lead Principal Investigators
Dr Simon Griffin MBBS MSc DM FRCGP Simon is Assistant Director of the MRC Epidemiology Unit and is group leader for the Prevention Programme. His research contributes to efforts aimed at preventing the growing burden of diabetes, obesity and related metabolic disorders by translating epidemiological knowledge into preventive action, and evaluating the effectiveness of different preventive approaches. Simon qualified from the London Hospital Medical College and trained in Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Southampton and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He joined the MRC Epidemiology Unit in 2005. In addition to his roles in the MRC Epidemiology Unit, Simon is also Deputy Director of CEDAR (UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Diet and Activity Research), an Honorary Consultant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust, Primary Care Lead for the Eastern Region Diabetes Research Network and an Assistant General Practitioner at Lensfield Medical Practice.
Professor Ann-Louise Kinmonth, CBE MA, MB, BChir, MSc, MD, FRCPCH, FRCP, FRCGP Ann Louise Kinmonth is the Foundation Professor of General Practice in the University of Cambridge and a fellow of St. John's College. She studied for her MD in the University Department of Paediatrics in Oxford, completed her vocational training in the Berinsfield Practice in 1982 and moved to a Principalship in General Practice at the Aldermoor Health Centre in Southampton in 1983. She was Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor in Primary Medical Care in the University of Southampton between 1983 and 1996 and moved to the University of Cambridge in 1997. Professor Kinmonth has contributed through research to the management of diabetes and prevention of cardiovascular disease in general practice and more recently has developed an interest in the impact of genetics on general medical practice.

Qualitative Study Team
Dr Simon Cohn Is a medical anthropologist, appointed by the General Practice & Primary Care Research Unit to strengthen applied research initiatives that draw on mixed methods. He also teaches an introductory course for medical students called the Social Context of Health and Illness. He has used a range of qualitative techniques to investigate ideas of health amongst patients and medically professionals – particularly in relation to chronic conditions. He has published work on diabetes, ME/chronic fatigue, gulf war syndrome, and the impact of neuroscience in psychiatry. His interests also lie in social studies of science and anthropology of knowlege, having contributed to a related option course in the Department of Social Anthropology.
Miss Sonia Smith BA (Hons), Msc Sonia has a background in both Social and Medical Anthropology. She has joined the Social Sciences Group as a Research Assistant on the ProActive follow-up study. Here she is applying her interests in anthropological methodology and theory to the analysis of the long-term effects of preventative interventions for Type 2 Diabetes.

The Primary Care Unit

ProActive - Trial Team