Professor Mona Nasser

Dr Mona Nasser DDS, MSc, PhD, FHEA

I am a clinical epidemiologist, and interdisciplinary methodologist. I have >100 peer-reviewed publications, mostly research articles in journals including well-known journals like Lancet and BMJ. These papers range from medical history, microbiology to health services research and clinical epidemiology. I am currently a visiting fellow for Berlin Institute of Health/QUEST centre fellow and NIHR Oral and Dental Specialty Lead South West Peninsula Clinical Research Network. I am the lead and contact person for the dental academic clinical fellows at university of Plymouth. I co-founded and lead the Cochrane Priority Setting Methods group and is also on the founding steering group of the Evidence based Research Network. I am also a previous fellow at the health modelling programme of PenCHORD and acted as a mentor in subsequent programmes.

Before, joining the dental school, I worked as a research associate and methodologist in the Department of Health Information at the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), the German equivalent of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK. My work focused on assessing evidence to inform reports that were commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (GBA). During my time in IQWIG, I also co-authored a report commissioned by commonwealth fund comparing the evidence based health care process in France, Germany, England and Australia to inform the comparative effectiveness bill in USA.

I lead a research programme focusing on clinical epidemiology and oral health research as part of the wider Oral Health Services and Clinical Epidemiology Research group of the dental school. My research uses an interdisciplinary approach to investigate complex challenges in dental care and similar environments along with designing, piloting, implementing and evaluating interventions to address the challenges. I focus on challenges that require an interdisciplinary approach to both understanding the issues and addressing them.

I qualified DDS (Doctorate in Dental Surgery) from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2005. My doctorate dissertation focused on the antimicrobial activities of endodontic materials working in the Pasteur Institute in Tehran. I have also done a MSc in Dental Public Health with King’s College of London/University of London and a PhD in Health Services Research/Clinical Epidemiology and a postgraduate certificate in Clinical Education with University of Plymouth. My PhD focused on drivers on setting priorities for systematic reviews. In 2020, I have done the Interactive Space Course 20 with International Space University with a scholarship from European Space Agency. I am currently a MSc student in Astrophysics at Liverpool John Moores University.

I am committed to conducting high quality research in collaboration with stakeholders that leads to impact. I was the REF coordinator for UoA3 for REF2021 and was included both in REF 2014 and REF 2021 (in both cases, I have submitted an impact case study). My impact case study for REF 2014 ( “Advancing methods for prioritising health research” ) was praised by the REF panel for its reach and significance - “Some of the case studies were considered to be of very considerable impact in terms of their reach and significance, especially in relation to genetic counselling competencies and prioritising health research”.

I have extensive leadership experience. I have lead and co-founded several international initiatives e.g. I The Cochrane priority setting methods group, the Evidence based Research Network. I was previously involved in founding/co-founding the Cochrane Developing Countries Network and was a Board Member (Trustee) of the Cochrane Collaboration 2011-2017.

My current research interests can be broadly categorised in three groups:

(a) Meta-Research on selected challenges in conducting systematic reviews – our current focus is - how to conduct systematic reviews of in-vitro research?

(b) How to ensure that the needs and priorities of all individuals across the PROGRESS-PLUS* are considered in setting priorities for priorities, understand problems and contexts and designing interventions?

(c) Digital dimensions of affective intelligence in clinical care and training with a focus on dental care

However, these groups are not mutually exclusive for example, we attempt to ensure that we consider equity in conducting systematic reviews or we run projects using digital technologies to address some of the needs and priorities of individuals with intellectual disability.

I have been teaching critical appraisal, evidence based health and research methodology from 2006. I have build several capacity building programmes for professionals and members of public. I have build online and interactive modules on decision making for a MBA in health care along with developing evidence based health care programmes for dentists and medical professionals. I developed several mentorship programmes to build capacity in communities with less expertise and knowledge.

I have been a consultant to national and international organisations e.g. the Institute of Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, World Workshop of Oral Medicine, and the Micronutrient Unit and European office of World Health Organisation.

I have relatively active twitter account @monalisa1n and host other accounts for specific projects e.g. @capsmg, have a blog (http://monanasser.wordpress.com) and sometimes curates other twitter accounts like @realscientists or @wepublichealth

Outside work, I am a visual artist (@evidencepilot) I am part of the coordination team of an artistic collaboration called SEADS and also founded another collaboration called meta-futurism – as part of these initiatives, I designed several immersive futurism workshops in Belgium, UK and also virtual events and hackathons. The latter led to innovative sci-fi storylines that incorporates key social challenges, cultural diversity, and scientific enquiries. 

I am a certified Iyengar yoga teacher and have taught adults and children yoga. 

I am also a PPL (private pilot license) pilot, skydiver, and paraglider. I have participated in a four-way skydiving competition Rookie team and flew navigational flights between UK and France.

My current research priorities:

My current research interests can be broadly categorised in three groups. However, these groups are not mutually exclusive for example, we attempt to ensure that we consider equity in conducting systematic reviews or we run projects using digital technologies to address some of the needs and priorities of individuals with intellectual disability.

• Meta-Research on selected challenges in conducting systematic reviews – our current focus is - how to conduct systematic reviews of in-vitro research?

We conduct systematic reviews of pre-clinical and clinical research especially in the fields of dentistry and space medicine research. We work in the context of larger systematic review organisations like Cochrane, CAMARADES and others to build on their expertise. We intend to answer the overall research question “how do we most efficiently and accurately identify the areas that either shows potential in pre-clinical research and needs to translated into clinical research or can be used directly to inform policy and practice. Our specific methodological focus is conducting meta-research on how to deal with in-vitro research in these systematic reviews.

Active Projects:

o Systematic review on impact of ionising radiation on human biology: The review is in partnership with members of the Space Medicine Team of European Astronaut Centre (a) Non-neoplastic effects of ionising radiation on central nervous system - a systematic review (b) Are there sex differences in susceptibility to ionising radiation. The project involves a bigger team of current and past ESA interns. T

o Part of the ESA topical team in Dentistry – to develop dental guidelines for future space missions. The project is supported by ESA.

o Quality assessment tool for in-vitro studies: As part of the project, we have developed a quality assessment tool for the space medicine reviews along with a checklist for in-vitro studies for the a dental material project. Marieke Dewulf will be working on that through quality assessment of a selective sample of in-vitro studies from the systematic reviews of impact of ionising radiation. Previuosly, Farima Mehrabi (MSc students in dentistry) developed a quality assessment tool for in-vitro studies included in the Systematic review to assess the effectiveness of mechanical preparation of abutment teeth on the survival of resin bonded bridges

o Statistical approaches to synthesis data from in-vitro studies: Piloting and evaluating different approaches to meta-analysis of of data from in-vitro studies in the systematic review of impact of ionising radiation. MSc student, Olufemi Ajipatutu, will be focusing his MSc dissertation on the topic.

o Crowdsourcing to facilitate the screening of systematic reviews of clinical, animal and in-vitro studies: Piloting and evaluating using crowdsourcing to engage with members of public in screening the data for a systematic review of clinical, animal and in-vitro studies. The project is led by Jeromine Vacquie.

o Machine learning for systematic reviews: The project invovles developing and pilotied an automated article screening for systematic review of clinical, animal and in-vitro stuides. The project is led by Marta Hansy and Alexandru Petru Vasile.

o Modelling exercises on using satellites remote sensing data to predict pandemics/epidemics involving stakeholders : this is a systematic review focusing on identifying, appraising and mapping modelling exercises on how remote sensing data are used to predict or monitor outbreaks or epidemics in modelling exercises. In different stages of the project, the team works together with stakeholders from NASA, WHO and other policy and public health organisational or satellite companies.

Projects currently supported by:

These projects is supported through the internship programme of the European Space Agency (ESA), ESA topical team programme, COST-EU action (short scientific mission) , University of Plymouth Strategic investment Fund and UoP NERC “Cross-disciplinary research [CDR] for Discovery Science” Fellowship Awards, Berlin Institute of Health/QUEST Centre fellow programme

Current research students, staff and collaborators on the project:

o Dr. Anna Fogtman (Crew Exploration Scientist, Space Medicine Team and SciSpacE, HRE-RS, European Astronaut Centre), Dr. Alexander Bannach-Brown (Researcher at the QUEST Centre, Berlin Institute of Health), Ria Mae Borromeo (Assistant Professor in Data Engineering, University of Philipiness Los Banos), Olivia Drayson (Graduate Student Research, University of California),

o Current and previous ESA Interns: Diana Donovan, Murray Mackay, Ioana Domocos, Jernej Šorli, Nimita Patel,Alexandru-Petru Vasile, Milad Dulloo, Jeromine Vacquie, Marta Hasny,

o MSc student registered in KU Leuven with Prof. Sarah Baatout (Marike Dewulf) – title: Quality assessment of in vitro studies of the effect of ionizing radiation"

o MSc student in Health Data Science (Olufemi Ajipatutu) at University of Plymouth. Title: “meta-analysis of in-vitro studies on the effects of ionising radiation”

o Undergraduate dental student: Nicole Elango

o Previous MSc student in dentistry and current collaborator: Farima Mehrabi

Multi-Media resources around the project:

Presentation of the machine learning for systeamtic review project for 3rd EBR conference: 3rd EBR Conference: Alexandru Vasile - automated article screening for systematic reviews - YouTube

·   How to ensure that the needs and priorities of all individuals across the PROGRESS-PLUS* are considered in setting priorities for priorities, understand problems and contexts and designing interventions?

*PROGRESS PLUS – PROGRESS: Place of residence, Race/Ethnicity/culture/language, occupation, gender/sex, religion, education, socioeconomic status, social capital, PLUS (personal characteristics associated with discrimination e.g. age, disability, features of relationships e.g. smoking parents, excluded from school, time-dependent relationships (e.g. leaving the hospital) (from the Cochrane Equity Methods Group Website PROGRESS-Plus | Cochrane Equity)

Previous studies has shown that the need and priorities of disadvantaged groups or individuals with specific needs and values are not always reflect in the selection of research topics/questions along with the design of the study. In these projects, the focus is on studying and evaluating how we can engage with different populations and incorporate their perspectives in shaping research questions or designing interventions. Below is a list of active projects, however, we also focus on supporting patients with intellectual or physical disabilities in dental practice through robotics technology that is outlined under the topic -

Active projects

§ Methods and approaches to engage with individuals from different ethnicities and different language backgrounds in conducting research or setting priorities for research. This project sits as part of the larger international collaboration – Cochrane priority setting methods group – co-founded by mona Nasser and others. The project is part of the PhD projects of two current PhD students – Sumanth Kumbargere and Prashanti Eachempati.

§ Update on the research funder project – the project led by Jong-wook Ban updating and expanding the survey she did evaluating how research funders responded to the research waste call. As part of the project, it also looks how they manage inclusivity in making decisions on setting priorities for research

§ Part of the project on “NGO decision making during complex disasters: an ecological approach” led by Pamela Cajilig– the project intends to engage with local managers and field workers to understand how they responded to the complex situation of covid along with other disasters in Philippines.

§ Multi Ethno-Linguistic Toolkit (MELT): as part of the Cochrane Priority Setting Methods Group, the team is developing guidance how to engage with multi-ethnical/ multi-language group in setting priorities for research or designing research.

Projects supported by: Internal Policy fund, Brown University Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies Research Seed, NIHR Academic Clinical fellowship programme, EU Cost Action.

Current research students, staff and collaborators on the project

·   Collaborators from University of Plymouth - Dr. John Martin, Prof. Sally Hankds, Dr Cath Quinn, Prof Rupert Jones, Dr Lyn Callgham, Prof. Jos Latour, Prof. Chris Tredwin, Dr. Yinghui Wei

·    Dr. Pamela Cajilig (Curiousity, University of Melrbourne/Brown Universtiy), Dr Seilim Uhm (University of Southampton), Dr. Tarang Sharma (WHO), Dr. Soumyadeep Bhaumik (Geroge Insttitue for Global Health), Ms Yvette Gonzalez (Sky Indicators project), Dr. Vivian Welch (University of Ottawa, Campbell Collaboration), Hans Lund, Karen Robinson and Jung-wook ban (University of Western Norway).

·   Sumanth Kumbargere (Director of Studies/PhD) Equity oriented to set priorities for research

·   Shiamaa Al Mashhadani (Director of Studies/PhD) Oral Health care of children with disability in United Arab Emirates

·   Prashanti Eachempati (Director of studies/PhD) Understanding how people interpret and respond to uncertainties in oral health -related information: an study among selected multi-ethnic groups in Malaysia

·   Mark Steven-Howe (Director of studies/PhD) Development of a probability based dental restorative risk index

·   Nicole Thomas (Previous PhD student and current resaerch collaborator)

·   Alexander Legge- Academic Clinical Fellow in Primary care/ MClinRes student - The impact of enhanced PPE on clinical performance and communication

·   Digital dimensions of affective intelligence in clinical care and training with a focus on dental care

With the increase use of digital tools and technologies in the health care industry, it is important to ensure that human element of care is considered. These projects intend to better understand the emotional and empathetic aspect of clinical care and how to integrate them in the social technologies developed and training of clinicians. We will design and evaluate digital technologies that can be used to enhance and support the development of affective intelligence skills in the healthcare industry.

Currently, we focus on two aspect one is the role that social robots can play in supporting dental practice and the other is on developing technological and educational solutions to increase the acquisition of tactical sensitivity for dentists to support decision making and better support the patients and dentists in managing uncertainty in decision making. We focus on all patients and their unique challenges and would ensure that individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities are not excluded in the process. We intend to address the overall question “can we find better solutions (technological or non-technological solutions) to enhance clinical care (both to create a more supportive and caring environment but also improving overall patient care and experience) by improving clinicians understanding on the patients challenges, uncertainties, improving the clinicians tactical sensitivity and empathy and finally by adding tools or agents that can bridge the challenges in the clinical care environment e.g. social robots)

Active projects

·   Anxious ‘tells’: Working with patients and dentists to reveal signs and triggers of stress and anxiety in the clinic (AngsT): The project is a collaborative project between the dental school and transtechnology research group along with sub-projects working together with the computer vision team.

·   Privacy-preserving Robotics in Dentistry project is an interdisciplinary initiative between dentistry, robotics and cyber security: It is currently focused on the usage of social robotics in dental care. The project is supported by a AI and Robotics in Dentistry lab. As part of it, we are currently running a survey on the privacy concerns of patient and dentist with regard to social robots.

Projects supported by: ESPRC impact acceleration fund, Turing Network Development project grant, internal strategic investment fund, PIHR institute fund, NIHR academic clinical fellowship programme, MPS foundation.

Current research students, staff and collaborators on the project

·   University of Plymouth collaborators: Prof. Michael Punt, Dr. Hannah Drayson, Prof. Sally Hanks, Dr Hai-van Dang, Dr. Dena Bazazian,

·   Dr. Hooman Samani (University of Hertfordshire), Prof. Angelo Cangelosci (University of Manchester), Dr. Mario Gianni (Liverpool University), Prof. Sue Denham

·   Wendy Smith, Andrew Dean (Well connected)

·   Alexander Pollard (NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow)

Mark Steven Howe (Director of Studies/PhD) Probability risk index in restorative dentistry 

Sumanth Kumbargere (Director of Studies/PhD) Equity oriented to set priorities for research

Shiamaa Al Mashhadani (Director of Studies/PhD) Oral Health care of children with disability in United Arab Emirates

Nick Perez (Co-supervisor/PhD) Cinematic interface for cognitive exploration in (medical) simulation

Alexander Legge- Academic Clinical Fellow in Primary care/ MClinRes student - The impact of enhanced PPE on clinical performance and communication

Alexander Pollard - Academic Clinical Fellows in Restorative Dentistry

Zoe Allen (co-supervisor), PhD, Exploring the referral interface between general dental practice and salaried dental services

Jaysan Charlesford and Martha Paisi: (Postdoctoral fellows in Oral Health Inequality - investigating the impact of a community and patient centred Dental School on the existence and gradient of oral health inequalities in Devon and Cornwall (ICOD project).

Klara Łucznik and Mihaela Taranu - (Postdoctoral fellows) ColLaboratoire 2020 project

Visiting Researchers:

Yvette Gonzalez, MPH, Senior Climate Researcher, Sky Indicators project

Gulcan Tecrili - Health Economist, Turkish Ministry of Health (Supported by Short Scientific Mission (STSM) COST EU Action EVBRES)

Sumanth Kumbargere - Faculty of Dentistry (Manipal University, Melaka campus)

Shiamaa Al Mashhadani - Dental Services Department, Dubai Health Authority

Alexandru-Petru Vasile - Intern, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany (Supported by Short Scientific Mission (STSM) COST EU Action EVBRES)