Our Team

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

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Jo is a Professor of Speech and Language Therapy and Associate Head of Research at the School of Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Honorary Professor at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust. She has over 30 years of clinical experience in head and neck cancer rehabilitation with expertise in the assessment and management of voice and dysphagia. She has received a Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy (RCSLT) Fellowship in recognition of my contribution to the advancement of the profession, both as an academic and a practicing SLT. As their specialist advisor, she represents the organisation on a number of committees and councils, contributing towards policy and strategic direction. Other leadership positions include; British Association for Head and Neck Oncology Research Committee and previous council member; research lead for RCSLT Clinical Excellence Network – Head and Neck Oncology; SLT representative for NIHR ENT Specialty National Group; Editorial Board member for Clinical Otolaryngology and Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery – Speech Therapy. 

She leads the Improving Patient Outcomes theme at the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, which aims to optimise functional outcomes and quality of life in head and neck cancer, with strong collaborations regionally, nationally and internationally. This research programme covers a range of topics, such as; holistic prehabilitation, enhanced recovery, psychosocial adjustment and support models, patient-directed consultations, patient-reported outcome measure development, functional assessments and novel swallowing intervention development. Our research spans an array of study designs, with a range of feasibility, pilot and randomised controlled trials. I work in close collaboration with the Liverpool Patient Forum, who provide a strong foundation from research development to dissemination. I am a trustee for Head and Neck Cancer UK, a national charity led by head and neck cancer survivors.

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 Biography

Adrian has been a member of the sport and exercise science programme team within the Department of Sport and Physical Activity since October 2012. He was previously a lecturer at the University of Hull at which he completed his PhD in exercise physiology. He currently leads BSc Sport and Exercise Science modules in exercise and health and in clinical exercise physiology. In addition to his academic qualifications in sport and exercise science, Adrian holds many vocational qualifications in health and fitness, including specialist qualifications in cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, exercise referral, older adults, pre- and postnatal exercise, corrective exercise, and management of low back pain He is the Designated Individual for human tissue compliance within the University, and sits on the central university ethics committee.

Research Interests

Adrian’s is probably best known for his research into the measurement and development of cardiorespiratory fitness. He also has a strong interest in factors that explain exercise tolerance during maximal exercise. His current research focuses on exercise testing and prescription in clinical populations, such as those with head and neck cancer, cardiac disease, and pulmonary disease.

Project Head - Centre For Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CMIE),   All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Dr Thakar received his training in Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Oncology at AIIMS, New Delhi, and subsequently as a Specialist Registrar and a Commonwealth Fellow in the UK. He currently serves as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery and as Head of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

The focus of his work has been on Head-Neck Oncology and Skull Base Surgery, and in particular on optimizing outcomes and minimizing the disability following treatment of such illnesses. He has been instrumental in the development of Trans-Oral Laser Surgery, as also voice conserving oncosurgery, minimally invasive skull base surgery, and techniques for rehabilitation of facial nerve and lower cranial nerve paralysis.  He pioneered the introduction of Trans Oral Robotic Surgery in the Indian subcontinent.

Dr Thakar’s research has included 20+ funded research projects, >380 research publications, >5000 citations, and 2 patent applications. His research contributions have included clinical, basic and translational research, and have been recognized by the award of the Shakuntala Amir Chand Award by the Indian Council of Medical Research, and a Gold Medal Award by the Neuro-Otological Society of India. He has availed of the Commonwealth Fellowship Award in the UK and the Indo-US Science & Technology Grant in the US to further develop the specialties of Skull Base Surgery and Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery at his institution.  

He has recently been entrusted with the responsibility as Project Head of the Centre for Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship at AIIMS, New Delhi. 

Professor Thakar serves on a number of prominent advisory positions, including Member, Task Force on Cancer Management- Indian Council for Medical Research, and the National Cancer Innovation Leadership Initiative. He is on the Council of the Asia-Pacific Society of Thyroid surgeons, and has served previously as the President of the Foundation for Head-Neck Oncology, President of the Neuro Otologic Society of India, Hony. Secretary of the Foundation for Head-Neck Oncology, and Hony. Treasurer of the Skull Base Surgery Society of India. He has served as Honorary Consultant to the Armed Forces Medical Services.                 

I am a clinical-academic Head & Neck Surgeon from an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery background, providing cancer and reconstructive surgical care to Head & Neck patients.

Originally from New Zealand, I completed my Higher Surgical Training in the internationally renowned Liverpool unit, ultimately being awarded the BAOMS Intercollegiate Gold Medal for outstanding performance in the national speciality exit examination.

I held the inaugural Wellcome Trust-FDS Research Fellowship, supporting my doctoral research into Human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancers, and leading to the award of PhD in molecular oncology from the University of Liverpool in 2013. I subsequently held a prestigious NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer (ACL) post in Liverpool.

Within my clinical role is as Consultant Head & Neck Surgeon at Aintree Hospital, I cover the breadth of Oral & Maxillofacial oncology surgery and reconstruction. I have a particular interest in virtual surgical planning technologies for complex custom composite reconstructions.

Offering all patients the opportunity and choice to be involved in clinical research/clinical trials is an ambition that I share with many of the Head & Neck team. LHNC has unique strengths in delivery of the national portfolio of clinical trials to our patients, with the aim to improve outcomes.

As a member of the Merseyside Head & Neck Oncology Research Group (MHNORG) I pursue both academic and surgical research interests, integrating “bench to bedside” research ambitions.

I have research interests in novel technologies and therapies, and ultimately how they can be incorporated into routine clinical care to achieve improvements in outcomes and provide tangible patient benefit.
Within my academic role, I supervise several doctoral (PhD/D) students (both from clinical and basic science backgrounds) and I am departmental director for post-graduate research (DDPR) within cancer medicine.

As Lead for Education within the Liverpool Head & Neck Centre I am responsible for coordinating the extensive portfolio of educational activities that LHNC delivers. I support postgraduate and undergraduate education within the Liverpool School of Medicine both as Deputy Director for 5th Year student doctors and as module lead for several Masters in OMFS modules. Alongside my colleagues, I am course director/faculty for a variety of continuing professional development courses.

Professor Chris Butterworth is a leading Maxillofacial Prosthodontist who has worked at University Hospital Aintree since his appointment in 2003. He has built an international reputation for innovative care in the field of Oral & Facial rehabilitation following Head & Neck cancer and has won several national and international awards for his work on implant-based prosthetic rehabilitation.

He has pioneered the combination of skeletally anchored osseointegrated implants in combination with microvascular free flap reconstruction for patients with maxillary and mid-facial malignant diseases (the ZIP Flap technique). He is actively involved in research within the Head & Neck Centre and regularly lectures at national and international meetings. He was the youngest ever national president of the British Society of Prosthodontics in 2011/12.

Chris has authored over 50 scientific papers, several textbook chapters and is the lead author on the restorative guidelines for UK based head & neck cancer patients.

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Chris has made significant contributions to respiratory physiology over 35 years, publishing over 300 papers. His work focuses on human lung injury, remodeling, comorbidity, and treatment effects. Funded by organizations like NHMRC, MRC, and Wellcome, his research has practical implications. The Ward lab’s pioneering work on neutrophilic airway pathophysiology and differentiated airway epithelium has impacted lung research including COVID discovery research.

Supervision and Collaboration: Chris has supervised 15 PhD students in the UK, fostering effective working relationships. His postdocs have transitioned to clinician scientist roles, and overseas students have become PIs and associate professors.

Impact and Engagement: Chris actively engages with patients, initiating a fibrotic lung disease user group. His research has influenced clinical practice, including lung transplantation and CF clinics. His overseas students have applied their training in COPD prognostication and infectious diseases. His commitment to broader societal benefit extends to teaching and linking NHS and University colleagues.