Our team includes researchers, doctors, nurses, data analysts and more. We are supported by a Community Advisory Group and Executive steering committee.
Dr Veline L’Esperance
Co-Lead
Professor Sarah Finer
Co-Lead
Ruth Ajayi
Chair, Community Advisory Board
Wuraola Adeoye
Senior Research Facilitator
Ana Angel-Garcia
Research Nurse
Bernice Appiah
Research Facilitator
Professor InĂªs Barroso
Professor of Diabetes
Sheik Dowlut
Senior Programme Manager
Olaolu Fayokun
Content Creator
Sasha Henriques
Principal Genetic Counsellor
Sean Kassen
Research Facilitator
Vimbai Mandaza
Research Associate
Dr Trevelyan (TJ) McKinley
Associate Professor in Statistics
Drews Nketiah
Clinical Reseach Fellow
Be one of thousands of people helping to give the legacy of better health to future generations.
Veline brings a unique blend of clinical insight, health-economics expertise, and lived experience as Co-Lead of Black Health Legacy. As a GP in South-East London and researcher at QMUL’s Wolfson Institute for Population Health, she’s spent her career quantifying and dismantling the systemic barriers Black patients face. Within Black Health Legacy, Veline works on turning her ideas into reality, making sure that everything we do brings us one step closer to our mission. Whether in clinic, board meetings, or in community spaces, Dr L’Esperance embodies trust, relatability, and relentless commitment to health equity.
Clinical Senior Lecturer, Queen Mary University of London, General Practitioner, Senior Clinical Advisor, NHS Race & Health Observatory, Academic GP, and NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network Primary Care Co-Lead, South London
Professor Sarah Finer
Co-Lead
Sarah brings over 15 years of diabetes care and research expertise to her role as Co-Lead of Black Health Legacy. A Consultant Diabetologist at Barts Health NHS Trust and researcher at Queen Mary University of London, she co-heads the Genes & Health study, which is bringing the benefits of genetic health research to south Asian communities. At Black Health Legacy, she leverages her deep experience in clinical science, health data, and genetics to shape our research agenda, forge community partnerships, and drive strategies that tackle disparities affecting Black African and Black Caribbean populations. Her vision is to ensure that equitable care becomes a reality for all communities.
Professor of Clinical Diabetes, Queen Mary University of London Consultant Diabetologist, Barts Health NHS Trust
Ruth Ajayi
Chair, Community Advisory Board
Ruth is a passionate advocate for underrepresented communities, with a background in marketing, communications, and healthcare programme management. She works with organisations including NICE andNHS England, and chairs multiple committees such as the Advisory Appointments Committee for Barts Health NHS Trust and Cambridge University Hospitals.
As Chair of Black Health Legacy’s Community Advisory Board (CAB), Ruth brings together voices from across Black communities including women, men, LGBTQ+ individuals, and faith leaders ensuring the project is grounded in lived experience. She will help to ensure that we prioritise research informed by the lived realities of Black African and Black Caribbean communities. Through this partnership, the CAB will help build trust, strengthen accountability, and ensure that the study delivers meaningful and lasting benefits to the communities it represents. Ruth is committed to tackling unequal treatment in healthcare and believes deeply in the importance of inclusive research that leads to meaningful, lasting change.
Professor InĂªs Barroso
Professor of Diabetes
InĂªs has an extensive and impressive background in genetic research in diabetes research, she will be a key part of our team, setting the groundwork and shaping the scientific foundation of the study.
Ines’s role at Black Health Legacy is as Science Lead, using her expertise in genetic and genomic research to direct us to pivotal findings. Her experience identifying genetic factors that may contribute to diseases as well as her time identifying genetic variants will prove invaluable to leading our research making sure we get the absolute most out of the data we collect.
Professor of Diabetes, University of Exeter
Sheik Dowlut
Senior Programme Manager
With over 15 years of experience in the medical research, Sheik brings a decade of specialised expertise in clinical trial management and programme management including the establishment of the Cardiovascular Devices Hub and driving forward complex, large-scale studies. His wide range of expertise ensures that Black Health Legacy works to the highest standards of research governance, data security and complies with regulations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research. In his role Sheik will also oversee the day-to-day running of the project, supporting and training staff, keeping to timelines, and making sure our Black Health Legacy volunteers have an excellent experience of participating in research.
Senior Programme Manager, Queen Mary University of London
Sasha Henriques
Principal Genetic Counsellor
Sasha is a trailblazing Principal Genetic Counsellor and the first Black genetic counsellor in the UK. With a background in science communication and a PhD in progress on social justice in genetics, she brings a critical and compassionate lens to the world of health equity. At Black Health Legacy, Sasha leads on making genetic research accessible and meaningful to Black communities, translating complex concepts into clear, practical guidance.
Her work is deeply informed by lived experience and international practice, including time spent counselling patients in South Africa. Sasha understands how cultural nuance, faith, and lived realities shape the way people receive and interpret genetic information. Through training, advocacy, and tailored communication strategies, she ensures our content reflects the true diversity within the Black community, supporting individuals to make informed, empowered decisions about research and healthcare.
Principal Genetic Counsellor, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Trevelyan (TJ) McKinley
Associate Professor in Statistics
TJ is a statistician, and will bring his expertise across all project activities. His interests lie in using statistical techniques to understand the complex relationship between health and genetics and how we can use this to find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases like diabetes.
Associate Professor in Statistics, University of Exeter