Research Capacity Development
We are committed to developing the next generation of leaders in academic geriatric medicine and translational ageing research.
To support this aim, we offer a range of opportunities to people from different academic and clinical backgrounds; from undergraduate students seeking their first taste of research, to clinicians progressing along a clinical academic pathway.
We have a strong ethos of interdisciplinary working, and we actively seek to widen participation in academic research.
AGE Group members have supported…
20+ doctors
in academic training
50+ PhDs
to completion
70+ MRes
or MPhil projects
30+ students
on placements
Developing future leaders: clinical academic pathway
We have a long-standing track record of supporting clinicians to progress along the integrated academic training (IAT) pathway. We have supervised and mentored a number of NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows and NIHR Clinical Lecturers many of whom have continued their journey with us as they successfully progress from one stage to the next. We believe this highlights the quality of experience the AGE Research Group offers, the strength of the networks we support our trainees to build, and the diverse range of research opportunities we are able to provide.
Current AGE Research Group members on the clinical academic pathway
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Dr Jonny Bunn
Geriatric Medicine Registrar
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Dr Grace Lewis
NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine
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Dr Sarah Richardson
NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine
Developing future leaders: PhDs in translational ageing research
A key way in which we support the development of future leaders in translational ageing research is through our supervision of innovative PhD projects. Our current cohort of PhD students are from a diverse range of backgrounds and are engaged in projects across the translational research pathway including qualitative studies, big data analysis, and laboratory-based work. Our PhD students work with interdisciplinary supervisory teams and contribute regularly to team meetings and as authors on publications.
Current PhD students
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Nessrin Almaghtuf
Morphological characterisation of human skeletal muscle across the life course
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Dr Jonny Bunn
Understanding multiple long-term conditions in older people accessing hospital care: An epidemiological approach
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Sinéad Smith
From nerve to muscle: understanding, adapting, and applying neurophysiology to characterise skeletal muscle across the life course
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Freya Thompson
Understanding perceptions of hospital care quality among adults living with multiple long-term conditions
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Philippa Watts
Increasing inclusivity in trials of interventions for older people living with sarcopenia
Some of our previous PhD students
Matthew Birkbeck is a clinical scientist whose BRC-funded PhD focussed on the application of MRI in neuromuscular ageing to better understand mechanisms behind sarcopenia.
Birkbeck MG, Blamire AM, Whittaker RG, Sayer AA, Dodds RM. The role of novel motor unit magnetic resonance imaging to investigate motor unit activity in ageing skeletal muscle. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2021 Feb;12(1):17-29.
Leena Habiballa studied genetics and genomic medicine prior to joining the AGE Research Group as a BRC-funded PhD student. Her project investigated the role of cellular senescence in skeletal muscle in ageing to identify potential targets for treatments to improve health outcomes in older people.
Habiballa L, Hruby A, Granic A, Dodds RM, Hillman SJ, Jurk D, Passos JF, Sayer AA. Determining the feasibility of characterising cellular senescence in human skeletal muscle and exploring associations with muscle morphology and physical function at different ages: findings from the MASS_Lifecourse Study. Geroscience. 2023 Jul 11
Ellie Hayes completed her PhD in 2022 following an MRes in musculoskeletal ageing at Newcastle University. Her project focussed on characterising the magnitude and time course of symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage in older adults and the potential of milk as a post-exercise recovery drink.
Hayes EJ, Stevenson E, Sayer AA, Granic A, Hurst C. Recovery from Resistance Exercise in Older Adults: A Systematic Scoping Review. Sports Med Open. 2023 Jul 3;9(1):51.
Introducing clinicians to research: Associate Clinical Research Fellows
We provide clinicians interested in developing a career in research with opportunities to get involved in the delivery of our studies, gain relevant research experience and build their research networks. We currently host a number of Associate Clinical Research Fellows who not only bring valuable resource to our Group but also strengthen our partnerships with clinical and patient communities.
Current Associate Clinical Research Fellows
Dr Stephen Connelly is a General Practitioner at NPC Park Parade Surgery in Whitley Bay.
Dr Rachel Craxton is a General Practitioner at NPC Cramlington Surgery.
Stephen and Rachel are the AGE Research Group’s first Roving Research Fellows; positions made possible via a collaboration between the NIHR North East and North Cumbria Research Delivery Network (RDN), Northumbria Primary Care Ltd., and three local NHS trusts.
These innovative roles are designed to ensure that portfolio studies, including those funded by the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, can be delivered in an inclusive way, providing underserved populations with more opportunities to participate in clinical research.
Dr Ian Sayers is a resident doctor with Health Education North East, training in general practice. He joined the AGE Research Group in 2025 as a BRC-funded Clinical Research Fellow. He has contributed to the delivery of MULTIPLE and MULTIPLE StRIDE.
Supporting researchers of the future: student projects
We provide a range of opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain experience of translational ageing research including short summer placements, Student Selected Component (SSC) projects, and MRes projects (including for intercalating medical students). Below we introduce three people who have undertaken student projects with us.
Summer placement
Raka Polyma, a medical student from Sunderland University, undertook a 6-week summer studentship funded by NIHR during her 2nd year. Her project "Selecting novel interventions to prevent and treat sarcopenia of old age" led to the development of an output that provided Raka with the opportunity to present at the British Geriatrics Society 2025 Spring Meeting.
Student Selected Component (SSC) projects
Claudia Cheung undertook an SSC project whilst studying medicine at Newcastle University. This involved completing an audit on Advanced Care Planning and multiple long-term conditions.
MRes
William Doherty completed an MRes project, investigating the feasibility of screening for sarcopenia in acute hip fracture by implementing hand grip strength testing into routine admission assessment at a regional emergency care hospital. This resulted in publication of a series of papers that William co-authored.
Expressions of interest
Specific opportunities to train with our group will be advertised here when available.
In the meantime, if you are interested in gaining research experience with our group or undertaking a project or placement with us, please complete this Contact Form.