Meet the Team
Dr Godwin Mamutse, Consultant Neurologist
Dr Godwin Mamutse graduated in medicine from the University of Zimbabwe in 1993 and undertook postgraduate training in internal medicine in Zimbabwe until 1999. He researched the genetic associations of multiple sclerosis at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire and Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, before completing neurology training in the West Midlands.
He joined our Neurology department in 2010 and is now a co-director of the MND Care and Research Network for Norfolk. He is part of the specialist MND clinic team who see patients at the NNUH hospital.
Dr Michelangelo Cao, Consultant Neurologist
Dr Michelangelo Cao is a consultant neurologist at NNUH with a subspecialty expertise in neuromuscular and myasthenic disorders.
Dr Cao has been working as a consultant at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital since 2020. He runs two specialist clinics, one dedicated to neuromuscular and myasthenic disorders, and the other one to motor neurone disease. Alongside his clinical duties, he is involved in teaching at the medical schools of the University of East Anglia and St George’s in Grenada, holding the position of Secondary Care Module lead for neurology.
He continues to be involved in numerous clinical activities including the MND SMART trial for patients affected by motor neurone disorders.
Dr Caroline Barry, Consultant in Palliative Care
Dr Caroline Barry was appointed as a consultant here in 2017. During her registrar training in the Eastern region, she developed a particular interest in symptom control and supportive care for those with neurodegenerative diseases and decided to settle in Norwich to support the MND Care and Research Network.
She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree, which aids advance care planning through specialist knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005). A keen teacher, she has a post-graduate certificate in clinical education and supports education programmes across the region and beyond.
As a previous NIHR CLAHRC fellow, she is keen to support clinical research for patient benefit within the MND Network.
Dr Prasanna Sankaran, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine
Dr Prasanna Sankaran graduated in medicine at the Dr MGR University in India before pursuing core medical training in the UK. He has completed specialist training in advanced sleep medicine and home ventilation and is Module Lead for Respiratory Medicine at the UEA Medical School. Ventilatory support is a big part of the care in MND, mainly at home.
Emma Larner, MND Respiratory Physiotherapist
Emma qualified as a chartered physiotherapist in 1993 at the University of Northumbria. Since then, she has worked here in various roles but predominantly in respiratory medicine with adults and children. She is also an associate tutor at the University of East Anglia. She currently works as the MND Respiratory Physiotherapist, providing care for patients at home, in hospital, residential homes and hospices.
Helen Copsey
MND Care and Research Network Coordinator
Since graduating as a nurse in 1999 from the University of Hertfordshire, Helen has worked in various clinical settings, including general medicine, high dependency and neuro-intensive care. She has also worked in nurse education and completed her MA in Higher Education. Prior to her current post, Helen was a MND Care and Research Co-ordinator at the Cambridge MND Care Centre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Helen joined NNUH in June 2017 as the Co-ordinator for the new MND Care and Research Network. Her current role is supported by the MND Association to develop the MND service and improve care for people affected by MND.
Keeley Papworth, MND Care and Research Network Administrator
Keeley graduated from the University of Hull in Human Biology and joined the team in August 2021 as our MND Administrator. She can be contacted for help with any issues, including booking onto our educational events.
Vicky Ershadi and Georgina Siggins, Senior Ventilation Support and Sleep Specialist Nurses
Vicky Ershadi and Georgina Siggins are senior ventilation support and sleep specialist nurses at the NNUH. They have been in post since 2017, and have both worked in respiratory medicine, both at NNUH, and other acute hospital trusts.
Part of their role is to assist with initiation of non-invasive ventilation and provide ongoing support for patients and their careers.
Julia Khairudin, MND Clinical Trial Assistant
Julia Khairudin is a Clinical Trial Assistant in the MND Clinical Research Trial Unit. Supported by a PhD in Public Service Management, an MBA in Corporate Entrepreneurship, and a BSc in Management Technology. Her career has included roles in neurology and public health, such as coordinating Multiple Sclerosis services, assisting neurology patient pathways, contributing to COVID-19 contact tracing, and managing patient data for NHS Grampian. Julia enjoys working with patients and is committed to making the research process supportive, positive, and easy to understand.
Sophie Sayers, Senior MND Research Nurse
Sophie qualified as a Registered Nurse in 2013, earning a BSc (Hons) in Nursing from the University of East Anglia. Since qualifying, she has gained extensive experience in acute Stroke and Neurology medicine. Prior to her current appointment, Sophie held a hybrid role that combined her passion for research with her strong interest in neurological conditions.
She has recently been appointed as the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Research Nurse, a position funded by the MND Association. In this role, Sophie is dedicated to expanding both the range and accessibility of research opportunities for all individuals living with MND.
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