The core JCRO team comprises six dedicated staff based on the University of Sussex campus. Members of the team have NHS and University experience in a clinical research context, and draw on expertise from other support services.
In addition to the core team, the JCRO brings together a wider team drawn from existing staff across the four partner organisations, pooling and sharing their expertise to provide practical help and support through the lifetime of clinical research projects.
Virginia Govoni, Head of JCRO
Virginia has a Master’s Degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical technologies from the University of Bologna, and MPhil in Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences from King’s College London and 10 years’ experience in medical research settings, leading senior clinical academics to deliver major strategic and complex programmes and collaborations at Queen Mary University of London and King’s College London. Virginia joins us from Barts Charity, a healthcare charity based in East London, supporting local institutions to deliver innovative research and great healthcare to the local population. She has a dual role as Head of Brighton and Sussex Health Research Partnership and the Joint Clinical Research Office.
Zoe Boylan, JCRO Senior Research Manager
As a Senior Research Manager, Zoe supports researchers with project management and advice across the clinical project lifecycle, as well as her role currently Chairing the Pre-Sponsorship Review Panel. Zoe holds a MSc in Research Methods in Psychology and is a certified Project Manager. She has 20 years’ experience in International and UK Clinical Trial Management largely in early clinical trial drug development(CTIMP trials). Previously she worked at both Hoffmann La Roche Inc (UK and Switzerland), and Cancer Research UK, where she managed UK early phase oncology studies, supported the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres and managed national programmes.
Debbie Coton, JCRO Research Manager (currently on maternity leave)
As a JCRO Research Manager, Debbie supports researchers with project management and advice across the clinical project lifecycle. Debbie has a Master’s Degree in Research Methods in Psychology and has over 10 years’ research and clinical experience in various healthcare and community settings, primarily in mental health, autism, learning disabilities and acquired brain injury. Prior to joining the JCRO she worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, managing the delivery of multiple National Institute for Health (NIHR) portfolio mental health studies.
Anett Kiss, JCRO Research Manager
As a JCRO Research Manager, Anett supports researchers with project management and advice across the clinical project lifecycle. Anett has a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Sheffield and a Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of Szeged, Hungary. She has over 10 years’ experience in supporting research grant activities at the Universities of Sussex, Warwick and Umea (Sweden). Prior to moving into the area of research support, she carried out post-doctoral research at Umea University, Sweden and held her own research grants and fellowships.
Kitty Pert, JCRO Research Manager
As a JCRO Research Manager, Kitty supports researchers with project management and advice across the clinical project lifecycle. Kitty obtained a Distinction in her Master’s degree from the University of Brighton and has over 4 years’ research experience within the medical school. Prior to working as a Research Manager, Kitty was the Acting Project Manager for the Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, providing local project management to ensure that the research portfolio and programme was delivered effectively within Sussex. Kitty also has a background in patient and community involvement and engagement (PCIE) having worked previously as a Community Engagement Officer and Youth LINk Development Worker.
Ilona Bowyer, JCRO Research Manager (covering maternity leave)
As a JCRO Research Manager, Ilona supports researchers with project management and advice across the clinical project lifecycle. Ilona has over 10 years’ experience in supporting research grant activities both pre- and post-award at the Universities of Sussex, SOAS University of London and the Victoria and Albert Museum. She managed the research grant portfolio of the School of Life Sciences for four years and previously supported BSMS during the launch of the JCRO. She has a Master’s Degree in the History of Art and a PGDip in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and is a certified Project Manager. Before moving into the area of research support, she worked as an Administrator across Brighton & Hove City Council departments including Adult Social Care and the Social Work office at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
Sam Suter, JCRO Administrator
Sam started with the JCRO in May 2022 and supports the JCRO team with its administrative activities, she also supports the Research Managers in all areas but particularly with grant submission, study set-up and active studies. She also maintains our project tracker, communications including the website and our office systems. Sam is an Administrator with over 20 years’ experience and comes to JCRO from three years as an Administrator for the NIHR Clinical Research Network.
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL
Contacts
Please email JCRO@sussex.ac.uk regarding possible JCRO support for your study and one of our team will get back to you.
For University of Sussex researchers who are submitting a grant application, please attach the completed School Grant Application Proforma.
DOWNLOAD PROFORMAS HERE >