About the Digital Health Software Team
The Digital Health Software Team is a multidisciplinary group embedded within the Centre for Health Informatics (CHI) at The University of Manchester. We specialise in the co-design, development, deployment and evaluation of digital systems — including smartphone apps, web applications and clinician interfaces — that support and advance health research.
Our work is rooted in collaboration with academic and clinical partners, patients and public contributors, ensuring that every digital solution reflects real-world needs. We integrate user-centred design, agile development and robust governance throughout the research lifecycle — from early methodology and grant support through to implementation, testing, and contributions to academic outputs.
We have over 15 years of experience building digital tools that address a wide range of health conditions, including respiratory, mental health, cardiovascular, cancer and musculoskeletal domains. Our collaborative approach often sees team members work as co-investigators or core contributors on research grants and published research.
Our ethos is shaped by a commitment to open collaboration, rigorous evidence, accessibility, and usability, ensuring that the digital systems we build are both research-ready and clinically relevant.
Meet our team
Charlotte
Stockton-Powdrell
Information Systems Programme Manager (Operational Lead)
My role involves overseeing a number of digital health projects covering disease areas including mental health, cancer screening and other long-term health conditions.
I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and I have successfully completed AgilePM and PRINCE2 both at Practitioner level.
I have worked in health research for over 15 years, in a variety of roles and disease areas.
Sanaullah
Alam
Senior Technical Project Manager
I lead the delivery of large-scale digital health solutions, from technical architecture through to national-level implementation. With expertise in EHR interoperability and international project leadership, I focus on transforming innovative concepts into robust, scalable digital tools for the healthcare sector.
Simon
Foster
UX Design Lead
My role involves leading user experience and interface design across a range of digital health projects, with a strong focus on user research, co-design, and accessibility. I am a UX designer and front-end developer with over 15 years’ experience working across print and digital design in a wide range of industries. More recently, my work has centred on applying user-centred and inclusive design approaches to create accessible digital services and deliver measurable outcomes.
Ilina
Serafimova
Project Manager
I am a Digital Health Project Manager for the VoiceIn app. I manage the rollout of the VoiceIn platform with researchers and public contributors, as well as the day-to-day work of the VoiceIn research project. I have over nine years of experience in communications, project management, and digital innovation across academia, public institutions, and industry. I am a CMI Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) and a PRINCE2 Agile certified professional.
Mike
Bartlett
Quality Manager
My role as Quality Manager involves managing the DHS team’s Quality Management System and supporting projects developing software as a Medical Device (SaMD) through the regulatory journey.
Before joining the university in 2017 I worked in multiple IT roles at AstraZeneca including 10 years in IT project management.
Gilson
Tam
Project Co-ordinator
I work as a Project Co-ordinator, supporting the planning, coordination, and delivery of digital health projects. My role involves working closely with stakeholders and managing day-to-day project activities.
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in July 2022, initially contributing to quality assurance and technical support for digital health mobile apps and websites. Prior to this, I worked in software development across the IT consultancy and banking industries.
Xiaoxue
Zheng
Software Engineer
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in 2021 as a Software Engineer. I have over nine years of experience as a software developer and have worked on a range of projects, including transportation management systems, electronic signature systems, and data processing platforms. Prior to this role, I worked as a back-end developer at PayPal. I completed my Master’s degree in Mathematics at Zhejiang University in 2015. I enjoy problem-solving, collaborating with others, and in my spare time I like reading and running.
Henry
Gorner
Software Engineer
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in 2021 as a Software Engineer. Prior to this, I worked as a mobile and full-stack developer in the sports performance management sector, which sparked my interest in health and wellbeing and led me to join the team. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling and spending time in nature.
Philip
Asare
Software Engineer
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in March 2023 as a Research Software Developer and have since progressed into a Research Software Engineer role. I began my career in IT, but a growing interest in designing and building software led me to transition into full-time software development in 2021.
Before joining the team, I worked at AmaliTech, where I managed the company’s ERP system and contributed to a range of client projects. Outside of work, I enjoy playing football and relaxing with music.
Naomi
Lee
Software Engineer
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in 2022 as a Software Engineer, working on a range of digital health applications. Before joining the team, I worked as a software developer in the banking and logistics industries.
Adedimeji
Sebiotimo
Software Engineer
I joined the Digital Health Software team in 2023 as a Research Software Engineer. Prior to this role, I worked as a Mobile and Backend Software Developer and contributed to systems focused on work management, service marketplace facilitation, and decentralised voting. I also hold a master’s degree in Computer Science from Swansea University.
Mehran
Mirkhan
Software Developer
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in 2023 as a Software Engineer. I have over five years of experience as a software developer and have worked across the retail, fintech, and insurance sectors. Prior to this role, I worked as a back-end developer at iHerb. I completed my Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence at Amirkabir University of Technology.
Gwen
Zhou
Software Developer
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in May 2023 as a Research Software Engineer. I have around four years of experience as a software engineer and have worked on healthcare-related projects in both China and the UK. I have worked as a full-stack developer and transitioned from object-oriented programming to functional programming across both front-end and back-end development. Outside of work, I enjoy playing the guitar and watching films.
Andrzej
Bosianek
Software Developer
I joined the Digital Health Software Team in October 2023 as a Software Developer. I have several years of experience developing software within the research and higher education sectors, having previously worked as a Software Engineer at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). My focus is on building robust applications that support health informatics and clinical data science.
Madeleine
Raggett
Research Officer
As a Research Officer, I support the team in delivering their excellent work through financial management, alongside a range of administrative responsibilities. I bring experience from the non‑profit sector, where I supported the management of corporate donor finances, as well as wider experience in the charity sector, having worked closely with patients across health and social care.