Project Board
Gp Capt Professor Alexander Bennett
Chair of our Project Board
Alex Bennett is the Chief Investigator of the ADVANCE Study and Chair of the ADVANCE Study Project Board. He has been Head of the Academic Department of Military Rehabilitation (ADMR) since June 2011 and is a Consultant in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) alongside RAF Consultant Advisor in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation. As Defence Professor of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Alex has an extensive research portfolio and currently oversees all research at ADMR at Stanford Hall.
Professor Anthony Bull
Board member
Anthony Bull is a Professor of Musculoskeletal Mechanics at Imperial College London. As a Project Board member, Anthony helps to lead the overall study. As the Imperial College principal investigator, he has financial and governance oversight of key teams, including clinical, admin and data. He focuses on musculoskeletal conditions and has multiple ongoing studies investigating the effect of amputation on musculoskeletal health and function.
Professor Nicola Fear
Board member
Nicola Fear is a Professor of Epidemiology for the Academic Department of Military Mental Health (ADMMH) at King's College and Director of the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR). She leads several studies looking at the impact of military service on families. Nicola brings her extensive experience and expertise in military health and well-being to look at the mental health effects of serious injuries on ex-servicemen.
Lt Col (rtd) Professor Christopher Boos
Board member
Professor Christopher Boos is Consultant Cardiologist whose primary role at ADVANCE is to lead and support cardiovascular research within the study. Christopher recently left the Armed Forces as their Senior Cardiologist but maintains strong clinical and research links. He is the Specialty Lead for Research and Innovation at Poole Hospital and has >100 publications in peer-reviewed journals. His current research interests include cardiovascular risk, heart rate variability and the effects of high altitude on cardiac function.
Emma Coady
Board member
Emma joined the ADVANCE Team in 2019. As the ADVANCE Programme Manager, she oversees all aspects of the study and ensures the study meets its aims and objectives within the defined timelines and budget. She works closely with all the relevant teams within ADVANCE, such as the researchers, collaborators, data team, clinical and admin teams, and is a member of the ADVANCE Project Board.
Paul Cullinan
Board member
Paul Cullinan is a Professor of Respiratory Medicine with training in epidemiology and an interest in working populations. He retired from Imperial College, London in 2022.