OPM-MEG epilepsy research

Dr Christine Embury is a postdoctoral research fellow running the OPM-MEG project at Young Epilepsy. 

She completed her PhD in Neuroscience in 2021 from the University of Nebraska Omaha, discussing the effects of diabetes on cognition and the brain using MEG. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed publications. 

Christine has extensive experience in MEG and the applications of the technique in clinical populations. She used techniques explored during her doctorate for understanding the brain and the changes induced by development and aging, as well as during disease processes like HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, cerebral palsy, and Alzheimer’s. 

Her current research focuses on localising epileptic foci in the brains of children with epilepsy using the ground-breaking new iteration of MEG called OPM-MEG, which allows for more accessible and precise imaging, in hopes to enable better surgical outcomes in the future. 

Christine’s inspiration for the work stems from a desire to see real change for people’s lives with real-life applications of clinical translational research. Her hobbies include traveling and exploring new places and baking for her friends and family.

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Dr. Zelekha A Seedat joined Young Epilepsy as a post-doctoral researcher in 2021, contributing to the establishment of the OPM-MEG research facility and conducting tests on healthy adults and children. She is currently training as a clinical physiologist in EEG while continuing to support ongoing OPM-MEG research.  

Zelekha’s background is in academia, having acquired a Master’s degree in physics with medical physics from the University of Nottingham in 2017. Following this, she completed a PhD in MEG analysis methods at the same institution under the supervision of Professors Matthew Brookes and Karen Mullinger in 2022. She has also recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Neurophysiology and is working toward obtaining professional qualifications in clinical EEG. Through her academic work she published several first author papers and collaborated on many more. Zelekha has also presented at both national and international conferences, winning a Young Investigator award at ISACM in Japan in 2023.  

During her doctoral studies, Zelekha had the opportunity to focus on paediatric epilepsy using MEG, a field that perfectly aligned with Young Epilepsy's objectives for their OPM-MEG suite. She is deeply intrigued by the ability of MEG and EEG to detect tiny brain waves, which provide insights into both healthy and pathological brain activity. They’re highly interested in moving OPM-MEG into the clinical sphere through comparison with EEG.  

In their free time Zelekha enjoys spending time with her cat and exploring museums & gardens with her husband. She is also passionate about gardening, cooking, and crochet.

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Kelly St. Pier was appointed to Young Epilepsy in 2019 as a Clinical Scientist specializing in Neurophysiology. In September 2021, she transitioned into a senior management role overseeing the diagnostic EEG service and the OPM-MEG research facility at Young Epilepsy.  

Kelly is a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist and has achieved a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Physiological Measurement (Clinical Neurophysiology) and two masters level certifications (Scientific Training Pathway (STP) Equivalency with the Academy of Healthcare Science and Chartered Scientist Status (CSci) with the Science Council) alongside her UK professional body qualifications.  

Kelly's specialization and passion for paediatric EEG and complex epilepsy began in 2000 at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital (GOSH). She later managed the video-telemetry and invasive EEG service at GOSH from 2008 to 2018. Through her role at GOSH, she maintained a strong connection with Young Epilepsy over the years.  

Kelly played a significant role in leading the Chartered Scientist registration license for ANS and previously served as Executive Director and Registrar of the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP). She is also a Chartered Scientist (CSci) and a Fellow of the Association of Neurophysiological Scientists (ANS). She has held several key national leadership roles, including serving on the ANS professional council since 2005. Her roles within the council have included ANS Honorary Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Membership Secretary.  

Her decision to join Young Epilepsy was primarily driven by the opportunity to be involved in ground-breaking research. Her enjoyment is also sustained by the continued collaboration with Professor Helen Cross, who leads the research program across UCL GOS ICH, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Young Epilepsy. Additionally, Kelly is passionate about quality improvement, patient safety, and professional regulation. This follows through to her current role at Young Epilepsy, where she also serves as an expert and technical assessor for the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), specifically for their Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) accreditation scheme. This scheme aims to enhance services, care, and safety for patients undergoing physiological tests, examinations, and procedures across the UK.  

Outside of her professional life, Kelly is married with three sons and enjoys aerial yoga and paddleboarding in her spare time. 

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Caroline Scott joined the Young Epilepsy team in 2024 as a clinical scientist focused solely in paediatric EEG where she has cultivated a deep expertise since 2003. Alongside performing EEGs on a multitude of patients, she helps train staff in epilepsy & EEG understanding, supports the outpatient service, and works to develop the Magnetoencephalography (MEG) facility within the organisation.  

Caroline holds a BSc in Clinical Physiology and an MSc in Epileptology from King’s College London. She is also a Chartered Scientist (CSci) and a member of the Association of Neurophysiological Scientists (ANS).  

Caroline worked for nearly 25 years in the NHS; she began her training in Clinical Neurophysiology in Ipswich and later moved to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust, where she worked at the Evelina Children’s Hospital. There, she honed her skills in paediatric and neonatal EEG. After spending 10 years at Evelina, she transitioned to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to lead the Video Telemetry Service, focusing on long-term monitoring and epilepsy surgery. During her 10 years in Birmingham, she specialized in seizure semiology, long-term EEG monitoring, and invasive EEG recordings.  

Passionate about education, Caroline has been committed to teaching others within her profession and those interested in epilepsy. She regularly delivers talks, lectures, and presentations.  

When not operating EEGs, Caroline enjoys reading, gardening, knitting, and lifting weights at the gym.  

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