Meet our staff

Introducing some of our staff in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences...

Iain Beith, Head of School

After training as a physiotherapist with the British Army and qualifying in 1982, Iain remained with the Army until 1986, when he left to work at Kingston Hospital for two years. Since then he has worked and taught in a variety of healthcare settings in London and Southeast England, while keeping up with his education – which includes a PhD on the control of movement in trunk muscles.

Iain’s research interest is pain, in particular nerve pain, and he is currently writing a grant application for a new project in that area. He is also working on an epidemiology study with his masters students.

About working in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iain says that it is interesting, enjoyable and busy. He is excited to work at a school with such a good reputation and great potential.

Iain enjoys spending his free time with his young family. He also follows the healthcare professionals' advice on keeping active: every day he cycles the 14 miles to work from his home in Kingston.

John Hammond, Principal Lecturer

John was born in Australia where he studied physiotherapy. He teaches on the undergraduate physiotherapy and masters in rehabilitation programmes. He also co-leads on the interprofessional foundation programme for first year students who are studying biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and radiography.

John says the Faculty is an excellent place to work and study, with the unique perspective of having a campus in St George's Hospital. Students encounter a diverse mix of people in the local community served by the hospital, as well as a wide range of fellow students in medicine and healthcare, which John says makes for a unique learning experience.

When not at work John never stands still either: he likes to run and swim, with his greatest passion being travelling – but only if the trips are never static and full of new experiences. He welcomes the Faculty’s support for students who wish to broaden their experience with voluntary international visits. Find out more by visiting What our students say: Volunteering abroad.

Gita Ramdharry, Senior Lecturer

After completing her BSc in Physiotherapy at the University of East London, and her Junior Rotation at King’s College Hospital (where she says she fell in love with the profession), Gita came to work at St George’s Hospital as a physiotherapist in 1997. She also worked at the Wolfson Neurorehabilitation Centre and was employed with the Wandsworth Community Team.

While doing her Masters in Physiotherapy at the University of Brighton, Gita worked at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, where she discovered her great passion for research leading to a PhD at University College London.

Gita is especially proud to work at the Faculty because of the great variety of activities she and her colleagues undertake alongside their teaching – many have an active patient caseload, others work on research projects, and everyone brings that expertise to the classroom. This gives students the opportunity to explore and be a part of the many avenues open for physiotherapists today.

Gita loves living and working in Tooting. She has lived in London since she was a student – the longest she has lived anywhere. When not working Gita likes to go skiing or spend time with her cats. When asked what she would do if she won the lottery she said she would buy a Swiss chalet and live there with as many cats as it could hold!

Anisha Ahmed, Programme Office Administrator

Anisha is responsible for timetabling and co-ordinating clinical placements for students. She recently took over these responsibilities from a colleague and is looking forward to the new challenge.

Anisha says she enjoys working for the School of Rehabilitation Sciences because the lecturers and staff are so friendly and everyone is great to work with. Anisha loved her time at university, studying Tourism and Management in Southampton, and she says working at the Faculty makes her feel like she never left.

In her free time Anisha likes to keep active: learning Bollywood dancing is her latest passion.