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RESEARCH
Steph Cox
is 67 years old and a retired
primary school deputy headteacher.
She has been diagnosed with coeliac
disease for most of her life.
“I am very interested in all matters
relating to coeliac disease and have
been involved with Coeliac UK’s
Bucks Local Group for over 40
years. Research has always been
very important to me generally and
especially in coeliac disease. Since my
retirement I have been able to devote
more time to follow research and
helping other people with
coeliac disease.
I think it is very important that
people with coeliac disease themselves
are given the chance to comment,
evaluate and rank research proposals
for project funding, for the benefit
of all people with coeliac disease.
I am particularly interested in the
development of genetically modified
wheat so that one day I may be able
to eat a proper loaf of bread!
I would definitely sign up for the
panel again.”
Mike Bieber
is 70 years old was
born in London and has lived there
ever since. He’s now retired and
was diagnosed with coeliac disease
about nine years ago.
“I was interested in helping with
Coeliac UK’s grant review process
because I have coeliac disease
and also because I’ve been part of
grant giving committees, and have
had experience of working with
people affected by cancer. It was a
fascinating experience. The research
applications covered many aspects
of the disease and the practicalities
of living with it. It was exciting to
see how much understanding and
concern many of the researchers
showed, and to realise what
effects their research might bring…
Coeliac UK made it as clear and
straightforward as possible, so that
it was interesting and enjoyable.
We’ve just heard the outcome and
I’m sure we’re all looking forward to
seeing how the selected projects go.
I’m hoping to work on this again
in 2016.”
FURTHER INFORMATION
You will find more information about the Member Review Panel and how you
can get involved on our website
Lasse Thomassen’s
oldest daughter
Aitana, was born in 2009. When
she was just short of a year old,
she started feeling poorly having
frequent diarrhoea and vomiting.
At first they didn’t think much of it
but a few months later Aitana was
hospitalised. Finally, when she was
about 15 months and very thin,
except for a swollen stomach, she
was diagnosed with coeliac disease.
This was the first time Lasse
had heard about gluten and
coeliac disease.
“It was both interesting and fun to
be on the Member Review Panel.
I’m an academic and I write and
assess funding applications as part
of my job, but always as a specialist.
Often we have to write a summary
of our project for lay persons as
part of a funding application.
Reading these funding applications
as a lay person sure taught me the
consequences of being unable to
write for a lay audience!”
