NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Sheffield
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Core clinical team
Core clinical team
The NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) has a core clinical team made up of Clinical Team Leaders, Research Sisters, Research Nurses, Higher Level Clinical Support Workers and Clinical Support Workers all working together with investigators across the Trust.
Research Fellows
Our joint Clinical Research Fellows are doctors who work with both Sheffield CRF and Biomedical Research Centre to bring vital medical expertise to experimental medicine studies, working with our research teams to advance early-phase clinical trials.
Senior Research Sisters
Our clinical team leader/senior research sisters provide leadership and management to a dedicated team of research nursing staff within the CRF and ensure that the highest possible quality of care is delivered which meet and exceed the expectations of individual patients and participants.
Research Sisters
Research sisters are responsible for coordinating and managing a portfolio of clinical research projects within the CRF, and ensure that the research practice meets the requirements of all applicable legislation and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Some research sisters have line management responsibility for research nurses.
Research Nurses
Our Research Nurse teams work across both sites of the Trust and with over 20 different clinical specialities. As part of the larger research team, research nurses assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care for patients in line with research protocols and deliver research to meet recruitment targets. They are able to see patients or volunteers within the CRF or alternatively, they can visit patients in their regular clinic environment within the Trust to minimise inconvenience to patients and embed research into standard care pathways. Research nurses ensure that research safeguards are in place to protect the well-being of research subjects and that research is conducted within the regulatory framework.
Higher Level Clinical Support Workers/ Clinical Support Workers
Our Clinical Support Worker team provides cross-site cover working closely with the research nurses and interact closely with patients and visitors to the CRF. They deliver a high quality service and care to research participants and researchers within a dedicated research setting.
The Higher Level Clinical Support Workers provide phlebotomy/cannulation, ECG and laboratory support as part of research protocol and also ensure trial specimens are processed and managed, stored and dispatched in accordance with the Human Tissue Act and all study specific laboratory manuals.
Eleanor McNally
Clinical Research Fellow
Faith Kibutu
Senior Research Sister/ Clinical Team Leader
Lindsey Gleadhill
Research Sister
David Foote
Research Nurse
Eleanor McNally
Clinical Research Fellow in Experimental Medicine
I joined the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility in October 2025 as a Clinical Research Fellow in Experimental Medicine. I divide my time between pulmonary hypertension research at the Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit and supporting the delivery of early-phase clinical studies across the CRF portfolio. My academic interests are centred on cardiovascular disease.
Prior to this role, I completed a Specialised Foundation Programme with the diabetes team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. During this time, I gained valuable exposure to experimental medicine, including hands-on experience with hyperinsulinaemic-hypoglycaemic clamp procedures. I also developed an interest in remote monitoring using novel devices.
I am privileged to work alongside a fantastic multidisciplinary team delivering research across a wide range of specialities.
Faith Kibutu
Senior Research Sister/Clinical Team Leader
Every day of working in clinical research has given me a fresh, diverse and a dynamic outlook and experience. At first it felt daunting but as time goes on, I find it more interesting and enjoyable. As a Senior Research Sister, I feel greatly rewarded to be part of and support the science behind the evidence of unsolved clinical problems, with the goal of saving lives and promoting the health and wellbeing of my patients and the general public. Supporting different clinical research projects in diverse clinical specialities has enabled me to gain a wealth of knowledge and a wide range of skills, which I would otherwise not have acquired in other work settings.
I particularly love the close rapport I establish with my patients and study participants. On many occasions my patients have expressed how they look forward to attending their study visits. Seeing my patients feel empowered and enjoying participating in clinical trials not only boosts my confidence, but it also gives me great motivation and demonstrates the value of my contribution in research.
I enjoy working in research because it gives me a privilege of not only working and interacting with my research colleagues but also being part of the wider multidisciplinary team, the NHS, and the corporate world, all working towards a common goal. I particularly enjoyed working on the frontline of COVID-19 research and how in a short space of time, our global collaborative approach in research led to great results and saved so many lives. I love working in research!
Lindsey Gleadhill
Research Sister
I started working in the Clinical Research Facility in January 2023 as a Research Sister. Prior to this role I was working within the directorate in gastroenterology research. Currently, I work in the grey team which involves working on numerous neurological research studies and I have learnt so much since I started in the role.
The training I have received to enable me to support the team has been fantastic! Due to the complexities of the research studies I am supporting, I have gained so many new competencies that I would have been unable to achieve in a ward environment.
I feel privileged to be part of a fantastic team, knowing that my contribution is making a difference to people's lives.
David Foote
Research Nurse
I enjoy working as a research nurse as it allows me to support people who are taking part in research that will positively benefit both themselves and future patients who are living with very challenging medical conditions.
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