Our team members and particularly our faculty are selected based on their medical expertise as well as their understanding of the distance learning landscape and how it is best delivered.
Click on a team members image to find out more.
Our team members and particularly our faculty are selected based on their medical expertise as well as their understanding of the distance learning landscape and how it is best delivered.
Click on a team members image to find out more.
Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University (2011-2016) and Senior Consultant in Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine at the University Hospital of Wales (1998-2016). He retired from the University in February 2016 but continues as an Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and maintains Private Practice at Spire Cardiff Hospital.
He qualified from the College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Iraq in 1974, obtained his MRCOG in 1985 and PhD in reproductive medicine from London University in 1996. Trained at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne (1992-1994) and was appointed as a consultant at Gateshead Hospitals NHS Trust (1994-1998). Nazar was responsible for the delivery of the Fourth year of the undergraduate curriculum at the School of Medicine (2001-2009). He founded and Directed the Ultrasound Masters programme at the University (2004-2016) and regularly supervised undergraduate and postgraduate (MSc/MD/PhD) students. He was the Ultrasound lead for the Welsh Deanery (2008-2016) and a member of the Deanery’s School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology training committee (1999-2016), was a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Specialist Training Committee (1999-2002), and the RCOG Welsh Executive Committee (2003-2010). He was the founding President of the British Society for Gynaecological Imaging.
Dr Scott is a General Practitioner based in Cardiff, Wales. She studied Medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating with honours in 1980, and has practised in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Her postgraduate qualifications include the Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
She is a senior medical practitioner with a broad base of both medical and business skills, having management experience in the organisation and running of four NHS practices over a period of almost 30 years. She is committed to the education of future generations and has been actively involved in the training of GP registrars for more than 10 years, providing one to one education and support, and receiving excellent feedback in her evaluations. She is committed to the provision of high quality educational programmes, tailored to each individual learner so they may achieve their personal goals within a well supported framework.
Sophie is an experienced Sonographer and works both in the NHS and in the private sector. She has worked in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board since 2012 and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound from graduating in University of South Wales. Sophie has a special interest in Foetal Medicine and in particular foetal cardiac scanning. In the NHS Sophie is proficient with general abdominal, gynaecological and all aspect of obstetrics. On the weekends and evenings she enjoys 4D bonding scanning in the private field as she enjoys a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere. She has been involved in training prospective Sonographers and Midwives from different faculties. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family and long walks with her very much loved dog. She is an event organiser for Ethnic Minority Women in Welsh Healthcare, in which the group recognises the talents of all Asian women and girls, and increases their self-esteem and motivation.
Dr Ali is a consultant in obstetrician and gynaecologist working in Cumbria since 2014. He completed OG training at Wessex Deanery in 2012, with fellowship in Endometriosis. Dr Ali is devoted to providing women with the best care. He started an outpatient hysteroscopy service and continues to improve the minimal access surgery at the unit. He has contributed to training colleagues and nursing staff in novel techniques, standardised care and protocols. Dr Ali is a member of the BSGE and relevant international scientific bodies. He frequently presents at many platforms regarding hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. He cares for women with suspected or diagnosed gynaecologic cancer and is the colposcopy lead for Cumbria. Dr Ali is also a certified medical sonographer and is actively developing diagnostic pathways along with training staff. Dr Ali is passionate about audit and teaching and aims to share his knowledge to others to provide the best for patients.
Dr Chiara Frendo-Balzan is a Specialty doctor working in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. In 2005, she graduated in Malta, and her vision was to achieve higher training abroad. This brought her to Wales to pursue her training in obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound within Cardiff University. She graduated with a Diploma in 2012. Taking this new skill, she applied for specialty training in O&G in 2008. She has now gone through her training and has achieved European Fellowship in O&G. Chiara is pursuing further studies in Clinical Leadership and Management. Dr Chiara Frendo-Balzan has a strong drive for improvement within the healthcare system and aspires to influence change to adhere to modern times, despite the adversity the NHS has been facing. Chiara loves teaching, whether it is medical students or colleagues. Any opportunity is taken to share knowledge, and acquire more, and as a result Chiara is a co-author of a revision-aid book for specialist exams in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Gayle is a senior sonographer with over 10 years’ experience in diagnostic ultrasound, having qualified initially as a radiographer with a BSc (Hons) in 2003 from the University of Central England, then in 2007 with a PgCert Obstetric Ultrasound from Sheffield Hallam University. Gayle has a passion for ultrasound and never ending desire to further her role and expand her career. She completed PgDip Medical Ultrasound at Sheffield in 2012 and PgCert in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound from University of Cumbria in 2016. Currently, Gayle is training to extend her scope of practice to include fine needle aspiration and biopsy of head and neck lesions. Throughout her career, Gayle has been supporting and supervising trainee sonographers and doctors. Her role at Medical and Educational Academy includes supporting our students and contributing to the further development of our ultrasound courses. Gayle is a member of the British Medical Ultrasound Society, the Society and College of Radiographers and is registered on the Voluntary Register of Sonographers.
Dr D’Angelo trained in and works as a consultant in assisted reproduction at Wales Fertility Institute, Cardiff and as a senior clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology at Cardiff University. Arianna has 20 years’ experience in assisted reproduction. She is the immediate past coordinator of the Special Interest Group (SIG) in Safety and Quality in ART (SQART) for the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology (ESHRE). She is a member, reviewer, co-reviewer and translator of the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group. Her research interests are ultrasound, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, fertility preservation and cancer, recurrent implantation failure, markers of ovarian reserve and ovarian cancer screening. She is author of several international publications; speaker at international conferences and peer-reviewer for many journals in the field of reproductive medicine and ultrasound.
Laura graduated from Cardiff University with BSc(Hons) Radiography and Imaging 2011. She trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ultrasound at Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport and later took an Advanced Practitioner Sonographer post within Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board in 2014. After completion of General Abdominal ultrasound training at Morriston Hospital, Swansea and graduating from University of South Wales with a PG(Dip) in Medical Ultrasound 2015, she is currently studying towards MSc Medical Ultrasound at the University of the West of England for completion in 2019.
Mrs Rezan Abdul-Kadir, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Royal Free Hospital, London and Honorary Reader in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University College Hospital, London. Rezan qualified from the College of Medicine, Baghdad University, Iraq and obtained membership of the RCOG in 1993, fellowship of the RCS in 1995 and ultimately her MD in 2000. In the intervening years she completed the joint RCOG/RCR Diploma in 1998. Rezan completed her obstetrics and gynaecology training at the Royal Free Hospital in London where she developed special interest leading to an MD in haemophilia and blood disorders in pregnancy.
She is regarded as an international expert in this field and has supervised numerous postgraduate students studying for higher degrees in this field. She has also made significant contributions to the field of ultrasound, in particular in relation to fetal and maternal wellbeing in pregnancy.
Dr Manjula Reddy is a senior specialist obstetrician and gynecologist. She is currently working in a tertiary care unit at a women and children’s hospital in the UAE. She is an adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Sharjah medical school and takes immense pleasure in teaching the undergraduate medical students as well.
She completed her postgraduate studies from India in 1996 and MRCOG from the UK in 2005. She was also awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG) in 2018, in recognition of her contributions to the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. She is a member of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG), London since 2011.
She has extensive work experience in managing high-risk obstetric and general gynecological cases with a special interest in ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology, and fetal medicine. She regularly updates herself with the recent advances in the field of fetal medicine.
She enjoys sharing her knowledge in ultrasound with her junior colleagues as well.
Dr Beattie qualified in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1983 from Queen’s University Belfast and subsequently completed subspecialty training in Fetal and Maternal Medicine attaining an MD on the subject of Umbilical Artery Doppler Ultrasound in Pregnancy. He holds the Joint Diploma in Obstetric Ultrasound from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). Dr Beattie was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2001. Dr Beattie has been a Consultant in Obstetrics, Fetal and Maternal Medicine at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff since 1995. His main areas of expertise include; fetal medicine; early pregnancy care; recurrent miscarriage; pregnancy ultrasound; high risk pregnancy; prenatal diagnosis; obstetric delivery and medico-legal expert opinion.
He is an honorary lecturer at Cardiff University and has authored and co-authored numerous publications on early and complex pregnancies, ultrasound in pregnancy and fetal medicine. He is the current Secretary of the Wales National Specialist Advisory Group for Women’s Health and the RCOG Welsh Executive Committee. He is also the Founding Director of Innermost Healthcare, a private medical company based in Cardiff, and his clinic, accredited by Health Inspectorate Wales provides comprehensive fetal and maternal medicine services including pregnancy ultrasound scans.
Dr Beattie is the Founding Chairman of Innermost Learning, a registered charity dedicated to improving healthcare education in women’s health, pregnancy care and fetal medicine. He is also a previous medical director of the ‘Kicks Count’ charity and is a firm supporter of the work of SANDS, Tommy’s and the Riding for the Disabled Association.
Dr Veronika Frisova is a specialist in Fetal Medicine. She currently works in her private clinic, Profema – Fetal Medicine Centre, and also as a lecturer in the Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Dr Frisova is also a FMF London trainer. She is responsible for education and training for FMF certification of doctors both internationally as well as in Czech Republic.
Veronika Frisova first trained in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Fetal Medicine in the Czech Republic. In 2004, she was offered a fellowship at Professor Nicolaides at FMF and King’s College Hospital, London. Dr Frisova has worked at Professor Nicolaides for nearly three years, receiving an extensive education and experience in the field of feto-maternal medicine including research.
On the basis of her training in the UK she was awarded a Diploma in Fetal Medicine in 2008. After returning back to the Czech Republic in 2007, Dr Frisova started to work privately and as a FMF London trainer to provide regular lectures and ultrasound courses.
In 2008, Dr Frisova was offered a position in the Faculty Hospital Motol in Prague (2nd Medical faculty of Charles University), where she dealt with detailed diagnosis of congenital defects by the combination of 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound, and Fetal magnetic resonance. Based on this topic of her dissertation, Dr Frisova obtained her Ph.D. title. Her main interests are combined imaging and complex diagnosis of congenital defects and education in the field of Fetal medicine.
Dr Fatema Alhajeri, a United Arab Emirate national, graduated as M.D in 2001 from Arabian Gulf University – Bahrain, completed the Saudi board in obstetrics and gynecology in 2010 from at Dammam University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr Alhajeri worked at Zayed Military Hospital overseeing a complete outpatient service. While at Zaid Hospital, she completed an Executive Masters degree in healthcare administration from Zayed University (2013). Fatema showed great passion toward ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology and completed a Postgraduate Diploma from Cardiff University in 2017. She applies her scanning skills in her practice, counselling her patients and offering treatment options in the same session, a comprehensive one-stop shop! She recently started working at Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi where her role is to implement ultrasound skills in patients with gynaecology and early pregnancy problems, in the outpatients department or operating theatres. Dr Alhajeri has published widely in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, participated in many local and international conferences, and has contributed as faculty in obstetrics and gynaecology ultrasound courses organised by Professor Amso locally.
Mr Costas Panayotidis was born in the UK in 1973 and studied medicine at the University of Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France, qualifying in 1997. After completing GP training in 2000 he carried out research into hypo fertility and intrauterine insemination and obtained an MSc in Reproductive Science. In 2001 he returned to the UK where he completed his full training in obstetrics and gynaecology, obtaining his specialist certification in 2008. Following this Mr Panayotidis completed an MSc in Advanced Gynaecological Endoscopy with the University of Surrey 2011 and worked as a Consultant in Cornwall and West Wales. In June 2014 Mr Panayotidis moved to the Isle of Wight to take up a permanent post as Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Lead for Early Pregnancy and Fertility services. He has published a number of academic papers and he completed recently a clinical MSc in Advanced Gynaecological Ultrasound in Cardiff University with honour distinction (under the supervision of Professor Amso, Director of the university program). He was elected office member of the British Society of Gynaecological Imaging in 2016 and he is actively involved in national projects of the society. He is a very enthusiastic teacher and been involved with medical education for many years with emphasis in laparoscopic surgery (effective box trainer usage) and ultrasound hands on training. Mr Panayotidis is one of the few members of the faculty who was trained by the senior members of AMSO and become a member of the faculty as well. He recently researched and proposed standards of ultrasound practice regarding oocyte retrieval techniques and he became actively involved with the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Dr Zaid Al Dabbagh is a consultant interventional radiologist at the Royal Free London Foundation Trust, Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals. He is the directorate ultrasound lead and has special interest in musculoskeletal and small parts ultrasound and imaging-guided interventional procedures. He completed his radiology training at the Imperial College, St Mary’s Foundation Trust in Paddington, London.
Dr Cillo graduated from the University of Bologna Medical School in 2018. Her final dissertation on BRCA genes and their impact on fertility was recently published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. Giulia spent some time in an IVI clinic (Valencia) in 2017. In 2018, she was a volunteer research fellow for four months at Yale University. She recently moved to the UK and worked as a clinical fellow at Wales Fertility Institute, Cardiff. Giulia is very passionate about Reproductive Medicine and is a co-author of articles and many posters accepted in international meetings. Giulia has been actively pursuing her academic interests at Medical and Educational Academy by working with our faculty to develop the Subfertility and Reproductive Medicine course. She is currently working as a junior doctor pursuing her career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.