MiNT UK 2023 PROGRAMME

Alison is The MiNT Academy Lead and a Specialist Neurological and Research Physiotherapist at Hobbs Rehabilitation, UK. With over 10 years of clinical experience within specialist neurological services, Alison previously worked in the NHS specialising in stroke and neurorehabilitation. As a previous NHS AHP Ward Manager, Alison has always worked within innovative therapy roles. This continues at The MiNT Academy, a growing neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development. Alison coordinates research, development and education activities to enable increased accessibility to clinically effective devices. As Principle Investigator in technology trials, she has aided the development of devices from concept to market, with recent focusses on Virtual Reality and Exoskeletons. Alison has presented at and organised numerous national and international conferences, including as MiNT Chair at RehabWeek 2022. She has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and lectures at multiple UK academic institutions. Alongside this, Alison works clinically at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre, combining the use of therapy devices with conventional hands-on treatment, for outpatients with a variety of neurological conditions. Alison uses all of her roles to passionately drive forward the use of neurotechnology in clinical practice to optimise opportunities and outcomes for patients.

Alison is a clinical specialist physiotherapist, with extensive experience spanning 25 years in different neurological settings including neurosciences, spinal cord injuries, stroke, neurorehabilitation and outpatients. During the 21 years working in the NHS, prior to Hobbs Rehabilitation, Alison was the clinical lead for neurorehabilitation at King's College Hospital for 10 years, where she led and developed the neurorehabilitation services in South London. Ali has also gained numerous post-graduate qualifications over the course of her career including advanced Bobath training, splinting, FES, and APPI Pilates matwork. She has also achieved master’s modules in evidence-based neuro physiotherapy and injecting Botulinum Toxin for spasticity. She has lectured on BSc and MSc physiotherapy courses, written a chapter in a book, and presented at various conferences and virtual events. Since joining Hobbs Rehabilitation in 2018, she has set up the intensive neurotherapy Clinic in Bristol where a team of 10 therapists use a combination of neurotechnology and conventional therapy to achieve client-centred goals. She is also involved in the clinical component of the AiBle project, working to deliver the clinical protocol along with French clinical partners. Ali is passionate about neurorehabilitation and brings experience, enthusiasm and leadership to her role at Hobbs Rehabilitation.

Sarah Daniel qualified at St George’s Hospital Medical School and completed her Master’s degree in Neurological Physiotherapy at Coventry University. Sarah is MOTIONrehab®’s Clinical Director for Yorkshire and Humberside and on the 22nd February 2018, Sarah was made the Chair of the Medico-Legal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MLACP).

Lucy qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Sheffield Hallam University in 2003. Following this Lucy started to work for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust initially on rotation which lead to a passion for neuro rehab and in particular spinal cord injury rehab. During the 18 years working in the NHS, Lucy has completed 4 years working with stroke both acute and post-stroke rehabilitation. Lucy has most recently spent more than 11 years working at the Sheffield Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre in spinal cord injury rehab gaining skills and experience in neuro splinting, SCI rehab techniques and how people live well with a SCI. Lucy is passionate about assisting people to achieve their goals. Further education includes splinting for abnormal tone courses and attending the Bobath course with a focus on spinal cord injury. When not at work; Lucy can be found walking her Border Collie Barney or standing at the side of a rugby or football pitch (usually in the rain) watching her 2 children get muddy.

Caz is a senior physiotherapist with over 15 years experience treating a wide range of neurological conditions in the UK and Canada. Caz holds a senior position at the regional neurosurgical unit at Southmead Hospital and has spent the last 4 years managing complex rehabilitation at the Frenchay Brain Injury Rehab Unit. Caz founded SoleSense in 2018 out of a passion to improve therapy provision using simple affordable technology to empower self management. She received a Women in Innovation Award in 2021 for her work in this field, was recognised in Southwest Business Insiders Top 42 Under 42, and is a member of the Clinical Entrepreneur Program run by NHS England. 

Andre is a serial entrepreneur and an award-winning specialist in signal processing, machine learning and software development.