Funmi Dasaolu

I qualified as a Learning (Intellectual) Disability Nurse in 2014, and have since worked in both Community and Acute Hospital Learning Disability Teams. In September 2024, I began a Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship (PCAF) with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This includes undertaking a Masters of Research (MRes) in Clinical Research.

Upon completion, I aim to undertake doctoral studies. My research area will focus on intellectual disabilities in sickle cell disease. I am interested in the co-occurrence of both conditions, the lived experience of individuals' and how healthcare professionals and services can better support this population of people.

My interest in learning disabilities stems from caring for my older brother. Whilst, interest in sickle cell disease stems from my own lived experience of the condition. Alongside my nursing career, I seek to reduce health inequalities and raise awareness of sickle cell through championing the patient voice in my various advocacy and charity roles.