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Biography
Tina Graduated with a degree in Paediatric Medicine from Tbilisi State Medical University. In the UK, she obtained BSc in Medical Science from the University of Birmingham.
Expertise Summary
Tina has an experience in working on both CTIMP, non-CTIMP trials as well as epidemiological studies.
Research Summary
Currently Tina works on PEARLS trial withing the NCTU. The trial aims to assess the effectiveness of proactive versus reactive use of topical corticosteroids (TCS) i. over 12months in reducing… read more
Current Research
Currently Tina works on PEARLS trial withing the NCTU. The trial aims to assess the effectiveness of proactive versus reactive use of topical corticosteroids (TCS) i. over 12months in reducing flares; ii.over 24 months in reducing disease progression, and iii. in terms of cost. Additionally the trial will assess safety over 24 months and to understand acceptability of the treatment - the barriers and facilitators to using prescribed treatment regimens.
Past Research
After graduating from the University of Birmingham, Tina began her career in 2011 as a Research Assistant at the Human Biomaterial Resource Centre, University of Birmingham. This role provided an excellent foundation in HTA-regulated projects and, crucially, in patient consent processes, knowledge she later applied successfully in academic clinical trials. During this time, Tina coordinated the Stratified Medicine Programme (SMP1), a pioneering Cancer Research UK initiative aimed at recruiting cancer patients to enable access to genetic testing for solid tumours and to demonstrate the feasibility of delivering routine molecular diagnostics within an NHS setting. She also worked on the SMP1 spin-off programme, SMP2, facilitating patients' transition to the National Lung MATRIX trial.
At the University of Oxford, Tina coordinated Work Package 4 of a large Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR)-funded programme within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS). The department specialises in high-quality research in musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions and operates within a multidisciplinary environment of world-leading researchers. As part of this programme, the team developed a statistical model to predict surgical outcomes, which was validated using data derived from the epidemiological study coordinated by Tina.
Subsequently, as a Research Manager at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Tina contributed to the strategic direction and delivery of the CLAHRC-EM programme, overseeing a high-quality, cost-effective randomised clinical trial. The programme supported the implementation of research findings into health and care settings by engaging end-users of research and key stakeholders. Tina played an active role in developing and maintaining effective partnerships across academic, clinical, public, and patient stakeholder groups.
Tina's clinical trials expertise was further consolidated at the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit (BCTU), University of Birmingham, which has a strong and established track record in delivering a wide range of studies. In this role, Tina managed both CTIMP and non-CTIMP trials and contributed to the management of the GlobalSurg portfolio. She worked closely and effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including statisticians, programmers, clinicians, and quality managers.
Currently, Tina manages two multicentre clinical trials at the NCTU PEARLS and FAMOUS. In PEARLS trial, Tina manages a multicentre, individually randomised, two-arm superiority trial with an internal pilot phase, aiming to recruit 400 female participants aged five years and older. The trial compares proactive versus reactive use of topical corticosteroids for long-term disease management. Tina oversees trial delivery across participating sites, ensuring adherence to protocol, recruitment targets, and follow-up schedules. FAMOUS study evaluates whether a structured four-step hearing-aid follow-up pathway is as effective as current NHS standard care in promoting hearing-aid use in adults. The study uses routinely collected audiology clinic data from hearing-aid assessment, fitting, and follow-up appointments to compare reported hearing-aid use between follow-up approaches.