Magnetic Resonance Advisory Group

The Magnetic Resonance Advisory Group (MRAG) was established in 2011.

The Magnetic Resonance Advisory Group (MRAG) provides advice to the council of  the Society  of Radiographers  and the College Board of Trustees (CBoT) on all matters related to Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 

The groups remit includes:

  • Acting as a forum for the consideration of all magnetic resonance matters affecting radiographers and other members of the magnetic resonance workforce
  • Providing advice and guidance for the SoR and its members on all matters relating to magnetic resonance and on the future strategic direction for the organisation with specific reference to magnetic resonance and its practitioners
  • Developing professional guidance for approval and publication by the SoR | CoR as appropriate/requested

To read more about the purpose and remit of MRAG, please read the Terms of Reference document.


If you are interested in becoming a member of this group, please contact Alex Lipton, Professional Support Officer MRI.


Contacts
Administrative support  

Lead Professional Officer


Ross McGhee
Council member



Key Documents


Meet the MRAG Members

  • James Berry

    Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at University of Suffolk, formally Suffolk College, practising at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

    He started his career at Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro before joining Alliance Medical Ltd, James subsequently gained extensive clinical MRI experience both within the NHS and Alliance Medical Ltd.

    In his current role as Head of MRI Clinical Services he has the rewarding challenge of working in collaboration with original equipment manufacturers introducing new technology into clinical practice to benefit the diagnostic pathway for patients.

    He maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through his involvement with the MRI Advisory Group and is involved in continued learning and development for the workforce as well as MRI clinical excellence.

  • Mafalda Sousa

    Mafalda began her career as a Diagnostic Radiographer in 2014 after completing a BSc Diagnostic Radiography at the School of Health in Porto, Portugal.

    In 2023, she was awarded an MSc Radiography (CT and MRI) from Birmingham City University. Mafalda has been working in the NHS since 2016, where she specialises in MSK MRI imaging. She is currently researching the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in Magnetic Resonance soft-tissue sarcoma imaging.

    Since 2022, she combines her Diagnostic Radiography Lecturer role at the University of Leicester with a Senior Cross-Sectional Radiographer clinical role at the University Hospitals of Leicester

  • Phil Andrews

    Phil Andrews joined MRAG in 2021. Qualifying in 1994 his clinical career developed in MRI, including enhanced practice double reporting Cardiac MR, leading the local CMR service, followed by a number of years managing a large MRI department.

    He joined Keele University in 2019 as a full time lecturer, where, amongst other things, he leads the delivery of the MRI component of the undergraduate course.

    As well as Phil’s interests in MR safety and CMR, he is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is currently exploring how best to support the education of undergraduate radiographers in the science aspects of the profession.

  • Maria Yanez-Lopez

    Maria is an MRI clinical scientist and an Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) certified MR Safety Expert (MRSE).

    She has a PhD in molecular MRI from the University of Nottingham and has worked as a Research Fellow in Imperial College London and King’s College London. Her research focuses on the development of molecular magnetic MRI to investigate the biochemistry of neurological and psychiatric disorders, with a view to characterising disease onset, improving early diagnosis and assessment of therapy effectiveness. 

    In 2021 Maria joined the NHS, working in Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust, and then in 2022 she joined the Swansea Bay MR Physics Group. Maria is a member of the IPEM MR Special Interests Group and is increasingly involved in UK-wide initiatives and working parties in the field of MRI.

  • Iain MacDonald

    Iain was previously a diagnostic radiographer at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham. He then took positions as a research radiographer in MRI at the Universities of Nottingham and Sheffield, gaining experience in neuroimaging (adult and paediatric), cardiac and imaging of pulmonary hypertension. Alongside the research, he also worked in the MRI units of acute NHS hospitals. He completed his MSc in medical imaging during this time.

    He is currently programmme lead for postgraduate studies in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the University of Cumbria. His other teaching responsibilities are to apprenticeship and undergraduates on the BSc programmes in diagnostic radiography at the Carlisle and Lancaster campuses. Iain is personal tutor to both undergraduate and postgraduate students and is link lecturer to medical imaging departments in NHS trusts in the North of England. 

    Iain is an executive committee member of the Assessment in Higher Education Network. He researches the use of assessment in higher education at the intersection of technology, assessment and student experience and has a PhD from Lancaster University in this area.

    QUALIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

    • PhD, Technology enhanced learning, University of Lancaster

    • MSc, Medical diagnostic imaging, University of Lancaster

    • Post graduate certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Lancaster

    • BSc (Hons), Diagnostic Radiography, University of Derby

    Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

    HCPC registered diagnostic radiographer (RA 34825)

  • Helen Estall

    Helen is a SoR accredited Consultant Radiographer in MRI at the University Hospitals of Leicester.  She completed a MSc in MRI reporting in 2014 and reports MRI brains and spines.  Helen is on the BAMRR policy board and is a Technical Assessor for UKAS.  She lectures on several post graduate and undergraduate courses for radiographers and physiotherapists, has presented at national and international forums and has been PI for several local and national research studies.

  • Dr Christine Heales

    Christine undertook her initial training in Diagnostic Radiography at the Plymouth School of Radiography. She has had a varied career working in the NHS, the independent sector and academia.

    Her early career included a wide range of clinical practice including general radiography, radionuclide imaging, vascular ultrasound and clinical research. She then specialised in MRI, spent some time in academia, then moving into a leadership role before finally returning to academia.

    Whilst in MRI Christine qualified in MRI reporting of the head and spine. She subsequently became Principal MRI Radiographer for a busy MRI department. From there she returned to the University of Exeter where she is now Programme Director for the degree apprenticeship programmes in Diagnostic Radiography.

    In 2009, she was awarded a Doctorate in Physics following a programme of research into “bone marrow oedema type appearances in the equine metacarpal joint” which combined MRI with a range of other techniques (such as Raman microspectroscopy). Current research includes the use of emerging MRI techniques in a range of clinical conditions.

    She maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through her involvement the MR Advisory Group. She also maintains her role as a registered assessor for the Society and College of Radiographers involved in the accreditation and approval of educational courses and assistant and advanced practitioner applications.

  • Darren Hudson

    MRI Clinical Lead for InHealth, an Independent Sector provider of Diagnostic and Healthcare solutions within the UK. I work within the Clinical Quality team for the organisation and provide professional leadership for the MRI Radiographers we employ. My role encompasses many aspects of MRI across the business, from quality and governance to education and training.

    I was MRI Safety Certified by the American MRI Safety Board in 2016, which helps support my role as in MRI safety across the organisation in collaboration with our MRSE. As well as safety, I am passionate about patient experience within MRI and continue to drive this forward internally. I also have an interest in training and education with our internal training courses all approved or endorsed by the College of Radiographers.

    I am a trained QSI assessor and a SpA for the CQC which support my drive for quality and standards in MRI. I have my Masters in Health Science, a Post Graduate Certificate in Health and Social Care Management, and one in Clinical Education. I am currently studying for a Doctorate in Clinical Research where my prime focus is around Virtual Reality and its use as a preparatory tool prior to MRI. My other interests are around other innovations and their application within MRI, as well as advancing practice and supporting workforce development.

  • Felicity Lacchin

    She originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the Charles Sturt University – Riverina, Australia graduating in 1997. She spent 3 years working at St George Hospital in Sydney before moving to the U.K. She joined UCH in 2007 where she gained extensive experience in MRI.

    During her time at UCH she has completed a Diploma in MRI at Anglia Ruskin University, passed the Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) exam and is currently undertaking an apprenticeship in Operational Departmental Management. 

    She has led the MRI service at UCH since 2020 establishing new services like MRI guided breast biopsies, Sleep time MRI for paediatrics and expanding the fetal service to include diaphragmatic hernia imaging.

    She has a keen interest in paediatric imaging within the adult hospital helping establish the Paediatric MRI session with play specialist support. She is keen to improve the education of MR Radiographers in MRI safety ensure consistency across the MRI service.

  • Chloe Shand

    Chloe-Shand.jpg

    Chloe is a lecturer at Ulster University. She manages and teaches modules in both undergraduate and postgraduate Diagnostic Radiography and MRI. Chloe moved to Northern Ireland in 2014, continuing her career in CT and MRI. She has worked for the Royal Air Force, the NHS, and the private sector as a cross-sectional Radiographer since qualifying at the University of Derby in 2008.

    Her passion for teaching focuses on the student experience, classroom technology, patient-centred care and the patient voice.

    She is interested in the ever-changing MRI radiography profession and role development. As well as lecturing, she continues her clinical practice in MRI and CT. She is currently completing her MSc in Advancing Practice in MRI at Ulster University.

  • Sophie Gallagher

    Sophie is a lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Leicester. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings since qualifying as a radiographer in 2007.

    She specialised in cross-sectional imaging in 2009 and expanded her knowledge of MRI by gaining a post graduate qualification from the University of Bradford in 2014. Sophie moved into clinical leadership roles before attaining a lecturing job at the University of Derby in 2016.

    She completed another post graduate degree, in higher education and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Throughout her time in academia, Sophie has taught on both undergraduate and post graduate courses and across a wide range of modules. She was also the programme leader the pre-registration MSc diagnostic radiography programme, before she moved into her current role.

    Sophie is currently undertaking a professional doctorate in health and social care. She is researching the experiences of UK radiographers learning MRI practice, using a constructivist grounded theory approach.

  • Sunitha Sivarajah

    Sunita-Sivarajah.jpg

    Sunitha Sivarajah qualified as a radiographer from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. She is currently doing her master's in MRI at the University of Cumbria, UK.  She is a diplomat of the ABMRS and certified Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO), Magnetic Resonance Safety Certified (MRSCTM).

    She worked as an MRI radiographer in different countries including Sri Lanka and the Maldives. In the UK, she worked as a senior MRI Radiographer in Cambridge University Hospitals and is currently in Imperial College NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital.

    She got a scholarship to do her research at Nîgata University, Japan in 2012. She published her research at international conferences including UKIO.  Sunitha’s top tips is ‘Treat your patients as your family member’

  • Emily Witten

    Emily currently works for Circle Health Group as the Clinical Services Manager for Imaging at Droitwich Spa Hospital. She qualified in 2000 and has gained extensive experience in MRI scanning and role development.

    She became MRI Lead Radiographer in 2006 at Spire Parkway Hospital, where she became one of only 4 radiographers in the UK to perform MRGFUS (Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound) treatments in 2013.

    She gained her certificate as an MRSO (Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer) which was accredited by the American Board of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in 2019.

    Emily is passionate about promoting MRI Safety awareness and maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through her involvement with the MR Advisory Group and QSI.

    She seeks to enhance her team’s knowledge and is passionate about patient safety.

  • Tamsin Taylor

    Tamsin graduated from City University, London in 1995 and started working as a general radiographer in Oxford, where she completed her MSc in Medical imaging from Portsmouth University. Subsequent to this, she moved to York in 2002 to take up a position in MRI.  During her time in York, she completed a PgC in MR reporting of MRI brain and spines in 2008 at Christ Church, Canterbury.

    Tamsin eventually ended up in the Northeast of England, where after a brief spell in research and senior management she has returned to a clinical role as an MR Advance Practitioner based at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust.

    Tamsin has a strong interest in the autonomy of MR reporting radiographers and how to extend their roles to make meaningful and impactful changes in the departments they work in.

Archived documents 
Workplans