Sabrina is a Assistant Clinical Research Practitioner, and is front of house for the recruitment of twins to our registry. Sabrina carries out any required health screenings to ensure the safety of participants. She handles any queries from twins and ensures they have all the necessary information about studies in order to provide informed consent. Sabrina also liases with other teams and departments to ensure the seamless running of TwinsUK.

What about your culture are you most proud about? 

Being Moroccan and Irish, I am most proud of how welcoming and generous my people are. Morocco has a rich culture which has lasted millennia. I love hearing the mix of languages including Arabic, French, Spanish and Amazigh and enjoying the differences between people from each of these backgrounds. Moroccan food is some of the best there is with a irresistible mix of sweet and savoury dishes to indulge in – my personal favourite is Pastilla. On the other side, Ireland is a land of beautiful people, landscape and history. The Irish people are so welcoming to outsiders and their hospitality is second to none. I love hearing experiences of those who have travelled to Morocco and Ireland and feeling proud that they always say how amazing a time they had and can’t wait to back. If you have been to Morocco I’m sure you agree that the culture there is beautiful, from the people to the architecture, the tranquil mosaic gardens, delicious dishes, beaches and so on. I would highly recommend visiting Morocco or Ireland for any type of holiday!  

What customs do you practice? 

As a Muslim, we have always been taught to be respectful of others, to look out for one another, give generously and always perfect our manners. Currently we are practicing fasting in the month of Ramadan where we abstain from food and water during the day light hours which is a lesson in patience and humility. Coming from a conservative large Moroccan family I have always been taught the importance of family, and have always been close to a large part of my extended family. Cousins would be treated as brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles would be treated as second parents. During the summers, my whole extended family who are spread across Europe would meet at our grandma’s house and we would all sleep under the same roof, and this strengthened our bonds and If I could I would still continue that tradition as it always involved stomachs hurting from laughter! 

How important is diversity to you, and what value does It bring?  

Working in a diverse environment breeds creativity, understanding and tolerance. Our world is a big one and being somewhere where as many backgrounds are represented is a beautiful thing. A diverse team means diversity of thoughts, perspectives and approaches to different problems. I personally love interacting with different backgrounds and learning new things about different cultures and as someone from an ethnic minority background, I always try and impart some of my experiences and perspectives in the workplace. 

26th July 2023 – By Aaruthy Suthahar 

It is important to us to foster a relationship built on mutual respect with our twins, and so the team at TwinsUK regularly reviews feedback from you after your clinic visit. Now, as we continue to collect and carefully consider feedback, TwinsUK is taking action to improve your experience when you come in for visits.  

One of the primary issues raised by the twins was regarding the clarity of directions to the TwinsUK clinic. In response, our admin team have now updated the document with clear directions, a map of the hospital, and approximate walking time from nearby stations to the department. We hope this will streamline your arrival to the clinic and reduce any confusion. 

During the feedback collection process, some twins shared their thoughts on the refreshments provided during the clinic visits, particularly following fasting periods. In response, we have taken steps to address this concern, acknowledging that light refreshments may not be sufficient for certain fasting periods. While we are not able to provide a bigger meal ourselves, we are now including a suggestion in your pre-visit information to bring lunch, for example sandwiches, to enjoy during the visit once the fasted samples have been collected. This measure aims to ensure that our participants receive enough nourishment during their time at the clinic. 

Furthermore, we are grateful for the time you give up to attend your visits and we aim to minimise waiting periods during your visit. In response to feedback regarding entertainment options, we have added a line in the visit confirmation email, encouraging you to bring a book, tablet or other form of entertainment to help pass the time comfortably. 

Additionally, we received valuable feedback from new twins about the clarity of the stool and urine collection instructions. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we have made updates to the instructions, ensuring that they are more straightforward and easier to follow.  

TwinsUK remains committed to establishing an open and transparent communication channel with our volunteers, understanding that constructive feedback is key to continuous improvement. By implementing these changes based on valuable feedback, we aim to create a more enjoyable and supportive environment for all the twins coming into the clinic. Thank you very much to all the twins who have taken the time to provide feedback so far.  

Taha is a Project Coordinator whose main role is to set up and oversee projects relating to the engagement of twin participants. This includes working closely with the wider teams to develop remote data collection, manage the onboarding of new twins, and develop strategies to ensure continued involvement of long-standing twin members who can no longer visit. This critical role contributes to the longevity of TwinsUK by facilitating participant engagement and data collection.

What about your culture are you most proud about?

As a British Asian I have to say tea, naturally. I can’t attribute it to only one heritage as both nations are equally obsessed. Growing up, tea played a huge role in social gatherings and was served as a symbol of hospitality. It’s something that brings people together; from a classic afternoon tea with scones to a traditional spicy chai, tea is an integral part of both cultures and for me it’s a hug in a mug. 
 

What customs do you practice?

Being brought up with the principle of “treat others how you would like to be treated”. In essence, the idea is to approach every interaction with others with a sense of empathy and understanding. Heavy emphasis is placed on respect for elders, hospitality, and community-oriented values. I benefit from the positive impact of this ideal as I found it fosters stronger relationships and enhances my overall sense of well-being and happiness.
 

How Important Is Diversity To You, And What Value Does It Bring?

Diversity is important to me because everyone deserves to be treated with fairness and respect regardless of their background or characteristics i.e. race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, and socio-economic background.

Embracing diversity means recognising that everyone has something unique and valuable to contribute, and that our differences should be celebrated rather than used as a basis for discrimination or exclusion. Diversity contributes to the richness and vibrancy of our community and is essential for innovation and creativity as every individual brings a unique perspective.

As the Communications and Engagement Officer at TwinsUK, Aaruthy is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with TwinsUK’s objectives and values. This strategy encompasses various channels, such as social media, newsletters, website content, and more. Aaruthy’s role also involves organising and attending engagement events to promote TwinsUK. 

What kind of culture did you grow up with? 

As a Sri Lankan Tamil born in the UK, I grew up with a rich and vibrant Tamil culture that played a significant role in shaping my identity. Tamil is my mother tongue, and I am fortunate to be able to speak it fluently. In addition to regular schooling, I attended Tamil school on Saturdays during my secondary school years. This allowed me to learn to read and write Tamil, and I also had the opportunity to explore various aspects of Tamil arts and traditions. 

Tamil school provided a platform for cultural enrichment, offering lessons in Carnatic instruments, Carnatic singing, and Bharatnatyam dance. I participated in Carnatic violin and Carnatic singing classes, as well as privately practicing Bharatnatyam dance. While I may not actively pursue these arts anymore, I cherish the experience and the deeper connection they fostered with my cultural heritage. 

Food played a vital role in our household, and I was exposed to numerous Tamil dishes. Among them, Kothu Roti is a personal favourite that I highly recommend to anyone eager to explore Sri Lankan cuisine. It was also customary in our culture to eat with our hands. Surprisingly, this practice not only added to the cultural experience but has also been shown to have potential health benefits. 

Tamil movies and songs were a constant presence in my childhood, offering entertainment and furthering my comprehension of the language. They served as a window into Tamil culture, deepening my connection to its traditions. 

Another aspect of Tamil culture that I love is the traditional clothing and accessories. The garments are unique and elegant, and the jewellery we wear tends to be bold statement pieces that capture attention and reflect our cultural heritage. 

Despite growing up in the UK with western influences, being exposed to these customs and more allowed me to express my culture and remain firmly connected to my roots. Embracing my Tamil identity has been a beautiful journey, shaping my perspective on life and instilling a sense of pride in my heritage. 

Can you share with us what diversity means to you? 

Embracing diversity means acknowledging and appreciating our differences without putting up walls. When we make an effort to learn from people with various backgrounds – whether it’s age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, or more – we break down barriers and clear up misunderstandings. This helps us connect with others, creating a more peaceful and enriched society.

Paz is Programme Manager, working broadly across operations to ensure studies are set up and delivered successfully. Paz also oversees communications and manages the Engagement Team and the Administration Team, ensuring that our twin participants are well looked after when taking part in research and kept up-to-date with everything at TwinsUK.

What kind of culture did you grow up with? 

My family is from Chile, so while we moved to the UK permanently in 1999, I still grew up in a fairly typical Latino household. This means lots of noise and a big emphasis on family – everyone has opinions on everything, but it also means that you can rely on your family to support you when you need it and celebrate the good things with you too. The Chilean/Latino culture I grew up with is more conservative than that generally in the UK, but living in the UK meant my family over time became much more progressive.  

What are your favourite customs? 

I quite like the naming customs in Chilean culture. Everyone receives two surnames; one from your father and one from your mother. When you get married, no one changes their surnames, and any children will go on to take their father’s first surname and their mother’s first surname. This way, you can easily trace back how people are related. 

I also like the custom of passing down first names in families. This is particularly common through the male line; for example, my grandfather, father, brother and nephew all have the same name. Because everyone will have different nicknames however, it’s usually obvious who you are talking to/about, if it’s not already obvious from context! 

Can you share with us what diversity and inclusion mean to you? 

Diversity and inclusion is about actively seeking out and involving people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives in the work that you do. This is important not just because it is morally the right thing to do, but because it also leads to better outcomes that better reflect the world today. A very clear example of the importance of diversity and inclusion in my work is through the ethics committee I sit on for King’s – there have been many times where ethical issues have been picked up by committee members due to their specific background or experiences, which otherwise would not have been identified or addressed. This ensures that research taking place at King’s is of a higher quality and ethical standard. 

TwinsUK is one of many population cohorts that form the National Core Studies Longitudinal Health and Well-being. The aim of the National Core Studies Longitudinal Health and Well-being programme is to understand the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by analysing established population cohorts, as well as national electronic health records to guide implementation of, and changes, to government policies.  

One study looked at how mental health of the UK population has evolved across the COVID-19 pandemic. The study looked at how mental health changed since before the pandemic, how experiences of mental health varied under different lockdown measures, and how the pandemic impacted already existing mental health inequalities. To address these questions, a coordinated analysis of data was carried out from 11 longitudinal population-based studies, including data from TwinsUK’s regular COVID-19 questionnaires sent to twins (known as our COPE study).  The team assessed the prevalence of poor mental health using measures of psychological distress within each cohort at 4 time periods: pre-pandemic (first lockdown Spring 2020); easing of lockdown (summer 2020) and then during a subsequent of lockdown at the end of 2020 and start of 2021.  

The info-graphics below show the key results:  

12th April 2022 – Laarayb

We were delighted to join the I ♥ Research Academy to mentor students from local schools who were interested in science. We delivered 6 workshops with the students to teach them about how to communicate science with non-scientists. In their last workshop, the students were asked to write up a news story on one of our research articles. Below is a news story written by one of our students, Laarayb. 

Research has found a link between bacteria and hypertension, or, in other words, high blood pressure. By targeting gut bacteria, researchers can find evidence that high blood pressure can be prevented and lead to solutions to make it less prevalent.  

This remarkable research finding can help explain what makes high blood pressure more dangerous and risk-worthy, which can help treat the most complex of cases, including heart disease. 

Why should we care about this? High blood pressure can lead to extreme cases of damaged arteries and is an enormous factor in causing kidney and heart disease. It is also known that high blood pressure can cause arteries to be less elastic, reducing the amount of oxygen intake. 

Therefore, researchers conducted a study that can help us see how the amount of gut bacteria can affect levels of high blood pressure. As high blood pressure is quite common, this study is particularly important to help us understand how we can reduce the risks of disease. 

Researchers studied blood pressure and the measurements of gut bacteria of over 800 female TwinsUK participants, discovering that there were fewer types of gut bacteria in women living with high blood pressure. There were also lower levels of Ruminiclostridium 6, a type of bacteria, and more levels of Erysipelotrichacea, another type of bacteria, in women with high blood pressure. 

Due to this, the Ruminiclostridium 6 bacteria was further researched, and our innovative scientists learnt that the bacteria plays a significant role in 84 chemical processes, including ones that are linked to blood pressure. 

The researchers supported the study by stating that it will ‘be a novel means to prevent or treat hypertension’ if the gut bacteria are further researched and targeted. 

Further work should be done on participants from different ethnic groups and male participants as the majority were white, female twins, so the outcome of the study may not apply to other groups. Furthermore, more work should be done on the Ruminiclostridium 6 bacteria to find out more about its role linked to blood pressure.  

12th April 2022 – Kira

We were delighted to join the I ♥ Research Academy to mentor students from local schools who were interested in science. We delivered 6 workshops with the students to teach them about how to communicate science with non-scientists. In their last workshop, the students were asked to write up a news story on one of our research articles. Below is a news story written by one of our students, Kira.

TwinsUK has found that consuming larger amounts of vegetables, which are high in fibre and vitamins, is linked to a lower risk of having slow, long-term inflammation that lasts for painful prolonged periods.

Those who suffer from joint issues, or have even been diagnosed with arthritis, can benefit from this research study, and could potentially have a significant impact on them because they will be more informed about the effects of not eating vegetables. There is no doubt that what you eat may also be contributing to your physical well-being. This is something everyone should consider if they want to live a healthier and happier life.

Chronic inflammation occurs when your body continues sending inflammatory cells for a prolonged period after a disease or injury. This has increased lately due to the COVID-19 outbreak and therefore more people are at risk of heart disease. If this were to happen, you would gain massive amounts of white blood cells, suffer severe infections, and, develop heart disease. 

Recent research conducted by TwinsUK also considered age, gender, and BMI (Body Mass Index) when analysing 700 participants who took part in the PREDICT nutrition study found that consuming less vegetables correlates with higher white blood cell levels. The researchers did not find any correlation between fruit consumption and white blood cells; however, fruits are also healthy and a key component of your diet.  

As a result of carrying out this study, researchers demonstrated that the consumption of vegetables has a greater positive impact than people may be aware of. Finally, identifying the specific nutrients and dietary patterns that influence gut bacteria and immune cells will provide us with solutions to help reduce inflammatory processes associated with diseases such as cancer, infections, and chronic heart disease.