The Epilepsy Research Institute is delighted to welcome Lara Carr as Director of Research & Impact and Vicki Kwesiga as Director of Finance. Their appointments strengthen the Institute’s leadership team and position it to continue driving world-class research, advancing scientific discovery and delivering meaningful impact for people affected by epilepsy.
Lara Carr – Director of Research & Impact
Lara joins the Institute from one of our founding partners, Young Epilepsy, where she oversaw a diverse research portfolio spanning biomedical, clinical, and psychosocial research, led multidisciplinary teams, and played a key role in developing and delivering the organisation’s strategy. Lara has a strong track record of building strategic partnerships with academics, clinicians, funders, and industry, and of supporting researchers in developing competitive grant applications and securing funding. She has also directed patient and public involvement across research programmes, with a strong commitment to ensuring people affected by epilepsy help shape research and that it delivers meaningful impact.
Lara holds a PhD in psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London, where her thesis explored interoception – the perception of the physiological state of the body – and its relationship to social and mental health factors in clinical and non-clinical populations.
Lara said, “I am delighted to have joined the Epilepsy Research Institute as Director of Research & Impact. Through my previous work, I’ve seen the wide-ranging impact epilepsy can have and just how vital research is in improving lives. I’m excited to build on the important work already underway at the Institute and look forward to working with the team, our partners, and people affected by epilepsy to drive research that truly makes a difference.”
Vicki Kwesiga – Director of Finance
Vicki brings more than 15 years of finance leadership experience across the not-for-profit sector. After studying law at the University of Sussex and Manchester Metropolitan University, she found her professional home in strategic finance, where she enjoys bringing clarity to complexity and helping teams feel confident in decision-making.
Vicki has worked with a wide range of non-profit organisations, including Sentebale, the Zoological Society of London, Amnesty International, Marie Stopes International, and BBC Media Action, often in fast-moving global environments. She is known for her thoughtful, people-centred leadership style and her belief that good finance should enable, not obstruct, great work.
Vicki said, “I’m excited to have joined the Epilepsy Research Institute and to work alongside people who are so committed to making a difference. Being able to support such meaningful research with my experience in finance feels like a privilege.”
Rosemarie Pardington, Chief Executive of the Epilepsy Research Institute, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Lara and Vicki. They both bring a wealth of expertise and experience that will be invaluable as we continue to drive our mission to radically advance epilepsy research. It is a pleasure and a privilege to have them join the leadership team, and we look forward to working together to deliver our strategic ambitions for the epilepsy community.”