Meet the Team

Professor Porter is a Consultant in Respiratory and General Medicine at UCLH and a Reader in the Department of Medicine at UCL. Prof Porter studied Medicine and Pharmacology at Cambridge University followed by clinical studies at Oxford University Medical School. She went on to train in respiratory and intensive care medicine at the Brompton, St George’s, and St Thomas’ hospitals, before completing her respiratory training at UCLH. Prof Porter was awarded a PhD for her work in inflammation at UCL as an MRC Clinical Fellow and went on to be awarded a Wellcome Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship at UCL. Her clinical and research interest is in interstitial lung disease, in particular, pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease in the context of autoimmune disorders. Prof Porter is medical strategic lead for Breathing Matters.

Professor Brown is an academic respiratory consultant with a subspecialty interest in lung infection. He did his clinical training in London alternating with Wellcome funded laboratory research at Imperial College into respiratory pathogens.

Since 2003, he has run his own laboratory at UCL and been a consultant at UCLH.

Manjiry is a founding member of Breathing Matters. When Manjiry’s father was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2008, she could not find any online information on this condition within the UK. She knew she had to change this. It was Manjiry’s drive and determination that led to the formation of Breathing Matters.

Donna is a founding member of Breathing Matters. She worked in the Respiratory office at UCLH from 1993 and, in 2019, transferred to UCL Respiratory to coordinate the clinical trials. Donna is operational lead for fundraising, is the primary contact for Breathing Matters and deals with all administrative tasks.

Professor Laurent was a founding member of Breathing Matters while he was Medical Director of the Centre for Respiratory Research. We are sad to report that Professor Laurent passed away in 2018, but he is fondly remembered at Breathing Matters and his spirit lives on within us all.

Jane was diagnosed with bronchiectasis in 2011 following nearly 10 years of chest infections. Jane teaches music and, until she became unwell, sang with the Holst Singers when she performed at the BBC proms and in a concert broadcast on Radio 3. Unfortunately, she is no longer able to perform with the choir due to her bronchiectasis. Jane is delighted to organise the annual Charity Concert and other events.