The Team

Prof Sarah Flanagan

Sarah is Professor in Genomic Medicine and a Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow. Her research focuses on understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms of congenital hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. Sarah leads the hyperinsulinism research in Exeter. Her interests include analysing genotype/phenotype relationships and employing next generation sequencing technologies to search for novel hyperinsulinism genes.

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Dr Thomas Laver

Thomas is a Lecturer in Diabetes and bioinformatician at the University of Exeter Medical School. His research focusses on the analyses of next-generation DNA sequencing data to identify novel genetic aetiologies for congenital hyperinsulinism.

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Dr Jayne Houghton

Jayne is a Principal Clinical Scientist within the department of Molecular Genetics at the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation NHS Trust. Jayne’s work focuses on the clinical interpretation of genetic variants residing in genes known to cause hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, neonatal diabetes and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young.

Dr Kevin Colclough

Kevin is a registered Clinical Molecular Geneticist based within the department of Molecular Genetics at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Kevin oversees the MODY genetic testing service and is involved in the routine genetic testing for UK patients with congenital hyperinsulinism.

Dr Rachel van Heugten

Rachel is a Healthcare Scientist within the department of Molecular Genetics at the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation NHS Trust. Rachel is part of the monogenic diabetes team assisting in the genetic testing service for Maturity onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and congenital hyperinsulinism.

Dr Kash Patel

Kash Patel is an Academic Clinical Lecturer, a Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow and physician in Diabetes and Endocrinology. His research includes understanding the genetics of diabetes with a focus on Monogenic and Type 1 diabetes and congenital hyperinsulinism.

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Dr Jessica Hopkinson

Jessica is a Postdoctoral Researcher with a background in functional biology and has previously focussed on T1D research. Her current research focusses on performing immunohistochemistry studies to increase understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind genetic causes of hyperinsulinism.

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Dr Matthew Wakeling

Matthew graduated with a BA (and MA) in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge. Matthew has developed a keen interest in data analysis and efficient software algorithms for processing data. He has been working in the monogenic hyperinsulinism and diabetes group in the university medical school since 2015.

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Jasmin Hopkins

Jasmin is a third year PhD student at the University of Exeter Medical School. Her research focusses on discovering novel genetic causes of disorders of insulin secretion.

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Sabrina Wright

Sabrina is a research technician within the HI Genes team. Sabrina joined the team in Exeter following the completion of an M.Res. at the University of Oxford which explored the use of human regulatory T cells (Tregs) as a therapeutic strategy for generating immunosuppression in solid organ transplant patients.

Isabella Lazaridi

Isabella is an undergraduate student at the University of Exeter studying BSc Medical Sciences. Having completed her second year, she is currently undertaking her Professional Training Year with the team, working on Hyperinsulinism and Monogenic diabetes.