Dr Irina Gainullina

I joined Buckinghamshire New University in summer 2023 and am currently a Senior Lecturer in BNU's MSc Physicians Associate degree.

I am a Senior Specialty Doctor in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation at National Spinal Cord Injury Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where I work for the past 13 years.

I graduated from the University of Tartu, Estonia, as a Medical Doctor in 1997. In 2015 I was awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree in “Advancing Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation” at Buckinghamshire New University.

I have been involved in researching a Vitamin D deficiency in SCI and have several publications https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2023.12; Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with spinal cord injury at admission: a single-centred study in the UK - PubMed (nih.gov). In addition to this I have presented in National and International Conferences such as ISCoS 2018 (Sydney, Australia), ISCoS 2023 (Edinburgh, Scotland) and have been involved in different teaching programs for medical doctors, nurses, and dietitians. My MSc dissertation focused on researching the prevalence, possible risk factors, consequences and treatment options of hypovitaminosis D in patients with spinal cord injury.

In 2014 I have received a Buckingham Healthcare Trust Davenport Legacy Research Award.

Before coming to the UK, I worked several years as a GP and did my Rehabilitation training in Estonia. I believe that my international experience will be beneficial in enriching and adding diversity to the multi-cultural society of the University.

I speak fluently English, Estonian, Russian and B1-2 level Spanish.

I have two children. I have attended many different conferences and courses in young people psychology. So, I can understand young people’s worries, concerns and can provide mental health support and pastoral care.

I have completed Children and Adults’ Safeguarding training.

In my free time I enjoy Art, Photography, Sport, and Interior Design.

• Senior Lecturer