Professor Dimitris Grammatopoulos is a Professor of Molecular Medicine at Warwick Medical School and Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry at University Hospital in Coventry. His training has taken him to Bristol, Coventry, Newcastle (UK) and John Hopkins (USA). His career has followed two very distinct but interlinked paths, in NHS Clinical Biochemistry and academic biomedical research. Professor Grammatopoulos has been funded by the Wellcome Trust Fellowship program for more than 12 years; his main research interests include feto-maternal interactions in pregnancy and the molecular basis of stress-related disorders, molecular diagnostics and implementing novel precision biomarkers. He has served a variety of academic and clinical leadership roles that have enabled him to develop pathways that capture academic research advances and facilitate translation in routine diagnostic services. His last trekking expedition was when he served in the Greek Army 25 years ago! He will be completing the challenge alongside his son, Mr Kyriakos Grammatopoulos, who will serve as his personal attendant and provide support if and when required.

You can donate to Dimitris and Kyriakos here. 

Miss Hooley joined RCPath in September 2014 as their International Administrator.She is responsible for administering, coordinating and promoting the College’s international projects, initiatives and events. She is an avid baker and was awarded the Golden Wooden Spoon in 2015 for the College’s Great Office Bake Off challenge. She is a creative soul having studied Fine Art in Norwich (UK) and regularly delves in various arts and craft activities, most recently Lomography. Gemma is always up for a challenge, having recently learnt how to snowboard. None of these skills will help her in the desert, but nonetheless she is looking forward to completing this challenge!

You can sponsor Gemma here. 

Dr Jamil is based at St Mary’s Hospital on the (usually sunny) Isle of Wight. He’s a general pathologist with specialist interest in breast pathology, cytology, urology and respiratory pathology. This will be his first fundraising challenge and is looking forward to the adventure. Dr Jamil has always been fascinated by the desert and this will be a good opportunity to fulfil his dream whilst at the same time contributing to a good cause. In his spare time he enjoys travelling, cycling, walking and much to the delight of his colleagues - baking.

You can sponsor Dr Jamil here. 

Dr Effie is a clinical academic haematologist with particular interests in haematological oncology, stem cell transplantation & precision medicine. She has studied in Europe and the US and has worked internationally. Her work has taken her to diverse cultures and vulnerable zones where she has initiated and established partnerships advancing collaboration, education and research. As with many doctors Dr Effie’s career has been devoted to improving health care either via direct patient care, diagnostics, education or by the design and implementation of service and quality improvements at an international level. She therefore finds that global health is a worthwhile cause to mark five decades of her life full of challenging experiences. Haematology nurse, ‘Sister Jodie’ is Dr Effie’s stellar campaign manager. Dr Effie is looking forward completing the challenge with her other half Dr R.Peter. Her trek challenge is dedicated to Georgia, all her patients over the years and especially to her colleague at the University of Washington, Professor Tony Blau: a haematologist and man with great spirit, character and dedication in the global fight against cancer, who is currently undergoing a stem cell transplant himself. 

You can sponsor Effie here. 

Dr Robertson is based at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, Scotland. She works as a general pathologist with specialist interests in upper GI/pancreatobiliary pathology, gynaecological pathology as well as cervical cytology. While describing herself as a ‘reluctant’ runner or ‘accidental athlete’, Katie has somehow managed to complete over 50 Parkrun 5Ks, 7 half marathons, several 10Ks, 2 one-mile open water swims, a sprint triathlon and, most recently the 66-mile Etape Loch Ness cycle sportive. It’s not about the distance or time for Katie – it’s about the personal challenge but most importantly the location, the scenery and the camaraderie. She has already visited Morocco on two occasions and hiked in the high Atlas Mountains but the desert will pose a new challenge. The Marathon des Sables will forever be a pipe dream but this trek is ‘within her sights’!

You can sponsor Katie here. 

Dr Grabsch started her training in Histopathology in Germany and moved to Leeds (UK) in 2000 where she completed training combining diagnostic histopathology with research activities in GI cancer. After 14 years in the UK, she became a Professor in Gastrointestinal Pathology at the University of Leeds (UK) and then moved back to the continent to become a Professor at the Maastricht University (Netherlands). Outside of work she enjoys outdoor activities like long distance cycling, trekking and in more recent years rowing.
 
Her last trekking experience in the desert was in India, where she had the luxury of riding a camel. However this time for the College’s Sahara Desert Challenge Trek, she will be walking for hours in the sand in one of the hottest deserts on our planet, sleeping in a tent at freezing temperatures, with no mobile phone coverage or hot showers with a strong possibility of encountering the desert’s most dangerous animals! This is by far the biggest physical and mental challenge she has ever have taken on. Nevertheless, Dr Grabsch is confident that she will successfully complete this adventure and even enjoy it! 

You can sponsor Heike here. 

Dr Peter Blacklay will also be completing this challenge alongside his wife, Jayne.