Shamalia is currently project managing the National Institute of Health Research ‘COVID and Me’ programme to address inclusivity in vaccine research and reaching underserved communities.

Dr Shamaila Anwar is a senior manager at the National Institute for Health Research where she has worked for the last 6 years managing key initiatives in Cancer, Surgery and Oral and Dental Health Research.

Shamaila completed her PhD in epidemiology at the University of Bradford and has a background in the development and management of clinical trials across a number of different specialty areas.  

Samantha Vanderslott is interested in public attitudes to vaccination, for routine vaccines and during outbreaks, as well as vaccine policies, in how these differ across countries and time. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began she has been researching views about potential vaccines and the increase in misinformation and disinformation.

Samantha is a health sociologist based in the Oxford Vaccine Group, at the University of Oxford, UK. She has worked there for the past four years following her PhD in Science and Technology Studies at University College London. Her research mainly uses qualitative methods and concentrates on health, society, and policy topics.

Dr Ajay Verma is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Physician working at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) in Northamptonshire, UK. Ajay treats patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and other chronic Gastroenterological disorders. He is an advocate for COVID vaccines, regularly posting social media content on the safety, efficacy and importance of vaccination for the benefit of patients, and fellow health care professionals.

Ajay has clinical interests in inflammatory bowel diseases, and early colorectal cancer. He is also an active clinical researcher and is the research and development director at KGH and the Gastroenterology Speciality lead for NIHR East Midlands clinical research network. Ajay is also a chief clinical information officer, a role he enjoys as KGH endeavours to be one of the most digitally advanced hospitals in the UK.  On a national level, Ajay is the chair of the New Consultants Committee at the Royal College of Physicians and sits on the SWiG (Supporting Woman in Gastroenterology) and Colorectal section committees for the British Society of Gastroenterology.  Ajay is active on Twitter, regularly posting #GastroTwearls: educational Gastroenterological content for health care professionals and patients.

Ajay enjoys spending time with family, his wife Vini is an Interventional GI Radiologist, his son Luca is 6, his daughter Bella is 4. He is a sports fanatic – Football, Cricket, Tennis, American Football. He plays badminton to a reasonable standard (his assessment). He also loves reading books – especially when on holiday!

Dr Ayede Ologun is a General Practitioner in Manchester, England. Her day to day consulting has been largely influenced by the pandemic and roll out of the vaccine, answering questions and addressing concerns regarding the vaccines and being trained in vaccine delivery. 

Ayede is a Clinical Supervisor and an OSCE Examiner. She sits on the Royal College of General Practitioner North West Faculty Board as the Treasurer and Lead on Mid-Career GPs. She is the General Secretary of Black Women in Health, UK. She is a motivational speaker and a Life Coach.

Outside work, Ayede is a Life coach, coaching women on embracing their authenticity so they can be their best selves and give their best to others. Ayede also speaks at medical events and gives motivational talks. She loves watching Korean dramas and listening to Korean music artists (BTS and Blackpink). She also likes travelling to new places, trying new dishes and cultures, gardening when she can and most importantly, spending time with her family. 

Dr Bnar Talabani is a scientist and Wellcome Trust Fellow (Immunology) and a Clinical Academic Trainee (Nephrology & Transplant Medicine). She is currently doing a PhD in immunology looking at the role of inflammation in organ injury and scarring. 

Bnar helped to set up Muslim Doctors Cymru, a grassroots network of over 60 doctors across Wales, who provide information about Covid-19 and the vaccines in a range of languages, including Urdu, Pashtu, Punjabi, Bangla, Kurdish, Arabic, and Somali. The network also works with local authorities and mosques to build trust with local communities. 

Bnar speaks Kurdish & English. She was born in Northern Iraq and moved to the UK as a refugee, aged 10. She now lives in Wales with her husband and 3 year old daughter. She loves exploring the outdoors, cooking and spending time with family.