meet the team
Dr Elena Ratschen
Dr Elena Ratschen
Dr Elena Ratschen
Elena is one of the co-leads for AD ASTRA. Elena is a Reader in Health Services Research in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York (UK) and has extensive experience in designing and delivering complex intervention research in mental health populations of all age groups. Elena leads the human-animal interaction & mental health research theme at the University of York and has founded a national interdisciplinary network of interest on animal-assisted intervention research.
Dr Sophie Hall
Dr Elena Ratschen
Dr Elena Ratschen
Sophie is one of the co-leads for AD ASTRA. Sophie is an experienced human-animal interaction and clinical trial methodology researcher, working at Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit (UK). In addition, Sophie has a menagerie of animals of horses, dogs, cats and chickens.
Dr Emily Shoesmith
Dr Elena Ratschen
Dr Emily Shoesmith
Emily is a co-applicant for AD ASTRA. She is a Research Fellow in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York (UK). Emily specialises in health research using mixed-methods, with an interest in the development and evaluation of complex interventions. She also works on the human-animal interaction & mental health research theme at the University of York.
Jenny Riga
Carla Nunes Vital
Dr Emily Shoesmith
Jenny is a Research Fellow for AD ASTRA. Jenny's experience is in qualitative research and clinical trial management. Her research interests lie in behavioural interventions in mental health and wellbeing as well as digital health.
Carla Nunes Vital
Carla Nunes Vital
Carla Nunes Vital
Carla is the Research Administrator for AD ASTRA in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York (UK).