Dr Melissa Maguire

Profile

I joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTHT) in 2011 as Consultant Neurologist (with specialist interest in Epilepsy) and since 2017 hold the Honorary title of Associate Professor within the Leeds Institute of Medical Research.

I am research lead for Neurology at LTHT and have an established track record for delivering phase II to phase IV commerical and non-commerical clinical trials of portfolio studies investigating anti-epileptic drugs.

Since 2016 I have been the NIHR Research Lead for Neurological disorders in Yorkshire and Humber overseeing consistent high national ranking for recruitment and study engagement within the geographical patch.

My Medical Doctorate from the University of Liverpool researched into selection biases in non-randomised and randomised studies of anti-epileptic drugs. The MD was awarded the prestigious Gower’s Clinical Science Award in 2009 at the International League Against Epilepsy UK Chapter. I have continued working within the field of trial methodology and am an editoral board member for the Cochrane Epilepsy Group.

Research interests

My main interests are: epilepsy therapeutics; psychopharmacology; glioma related epilepsy;music & brain and MedTech.

I supervise the following academic studies and MD/PhD fellowships:

• Exploring clinical and biological factors in the prognosis and treatment of epilepsy due to high and low grade gliomas (LIMR Medical Doctorate Epilepsy Fellowship: Dr Fairclough)
• Investigating genetic biomarkers in epilepsy and meningioma (LIMR Medical Doctorate Epilepsy Fellowship: Dr Tanti)
• Computer Vision and Machine learning to detect epileptic seizures in video (CI: Dr Williams)
• Optimising surgical selection in epilepsy using a 24/7 long-term subcutaneous EEG Device (CI)
• Investigating self-perception of emotion in individuals with non-epileptic seizures (LIHS PhD Studentship: Ms Meer)

I am a collaborator/panel member on the following academic projects:

• EPSET project: Developing a core outcome set for adult epielpsy clinical trials (international working group member) www.epsetproject.org
• Developing a preconception care pathway for women with epilepsy in the UK (Advisory panel member)

Qualifications

• 1998 BMedSci (Pathology)
• 2000 MBChB
• 2004 MRCP (London)
• 2010 Medical Doctorate (Neurosciences)
• 2015 FRCP (London)

Professional memberships

• Royal College of Physicians (London)
• International League Against Epilepsy UK Chapter

Student education

I have been actively involved in supervising the undergraduate year 3-5 MBChB extended research student projects (ESREP) programme.

Many of my students have found these projects very rewarding and have gained research publications and platform presentations at national and international level. Two ESREP projects under my supervision have been Leng Prize nominated.

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's