Dr Catherine H Linaker BN, RGN, PhD
Senior Research Fellow in Epidemiology
I am a senior research fellow with a special interest in work and health and am a co-investigator on the Health and Employment after Fifty (HEAF) Study. I am also the training lead of the Arthritis Research UK/MRC Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work (with research aimed at identifying cost-effective ways of minimising the substantial adverse impacts of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace).
I graduated in Nursing Studies at the University of Southampton in 1990. I worked as a clinical research nurse in the Department of Medicine at the University of Southampton where I completed a PhD in 1997 that explored the effects of nitrogen dioxide on asthmatic symptoms in school-aged children.
I joined the MRC Unit in Southampton in 1997 and subsequently set up and coordinated a number of large scale community longitudinal studies of upper limb disorders. This included the development and piloting of a standardised proforma for the upper limb and neck (the Southampton Examination Schedule) and the subsequent training of other researchers and clinical staff in this technique.
I have also coordinated a number of other occupational studies including: a case-control study of occupational and lifestyle risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome; a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal arm pain; the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study; a NIHR-funded feasibility trial of Individualised Placement and Support for unemployed people with chronic pain (InSTEP) and the Well@Work Project with Southampton City Council that aims to provide support to people with musculoskeletal and/or mental health conditions who are at risk of losing their jobs.
Qualifications:
BN, Nursing, University of Southampton 1990
General Nursing, Registered General Nurse, English National Board for Nursing and Midwifery and Health Visiting 1990
PhD, Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and childhood asthmatic symptoms, University of Southampton 1997