Research output per year
Research output per year
Dr
Accepting PhD Students
I am a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics based in the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester. After graduating with honors for the University of Birmingham Medical School in 2006 I commenced the clinical academic training programme in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and won the RCOG Prize Medal in 2011. In 2015 I completed my PhD thesis on the Antenatal Identification of Placental Dysfunction in Pregnancies Complicated by Reduced Fetal Movements (funded by an Action Medical Research training fellowship, NIHR biomedical research centre pump prime funding and Tommy's). I have completed combined clinical academic training in obstetrics and achieved GMC Specialist Registration in 2022.
My primary research interests are the prediction, identification, and treatment of placental dysfunction (including abnormal fetal growth, preeclampsia and stillbirth) including understanding the biological basis of placental factors in the maternal circulation and modifiable risk in pregnancy (including the impact of air pollution). I have research and social responsibility interests in reversing maternal health inequalities. I am also driven to improve the health of mothers and their babies during and after pregnancy achieved by IVF in whom placental dysfunction is more frequently seen and from whom we can learn so much about the periconceptual influences on placental function. I am chief investigator of 5 obstetric studies (START, MiNESS 20-28, STARshiP, RESPIRE-I and Tommy's Project) and hold current research funding from NIHR (RfPB, HTA), Natural Environment Research Council, The Academy of Medical Sciences and Tommy's.
I am passionate about developing the multidisciplinary maternity researchers of the future, having worked nationally with UK ARCOG and supervising postgraduate research students at a range of stages (MSc, MPhil, MD, PhD, STP and DClinPsy); I am proud to support midwifery colleagues progress in their academic careers. Further, I am inspired by the lived experiences of women and partners who have experienced pregnancy complicated by placental dysfunction, stillbirth and IVF-assisted conception. I engage in an active programme of public engagement and involvement in research, convening two specific research advisory groups to shape my ongoing programmes of research.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Doctor of Medicine, The University of Manchester
Award Date: 15 Jul 2015
Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Award Date: 18 Nov 2011
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Birmingham
Award Date: 1 Jul 2006
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Johnstone, E. (PI), Povey, A. (CoI), Van Tongeren, M. (CoI), Ruane, P. (CoI), Bannan, T. (CoI), Gittins, M. (CoI) & Higgins, L. (CoI)
1/11/21 → 31/10/25
Project: Research
Stevens, A. (PI), Heazell, A. (PI), Tower, C. (PI), Brison, D. (PI), Johnstone, E. (PI), Cottrell, E. (PI), Mann, E. (PI), Ingram, E. (PI), Crocker, I. (PI), Chernyavsky, I. (PI), Myers, J. (PI), Aplin, J. (PI), Higgins, L. (PI), Harris, L. (PI), Dilworth, M. (PI), Westwood, M. (PI), Whitworth, M. (PI), Desforges, M. (PI), Brownbill, P. (PI), Ruane, P. (PI), Sturmey, R. (PI), Worton, S. (PI), Greenwood, S. (PI), Sibley, C. (PI) & Belchamber, K. (PI)
1/09/18 → 31/12/35
Project: Research
Heazell, A. (PI), Aplin, J. (CoI), Brownbill, P. (CoI), Cottrell, E. (CoI), Desforges, M. (CoI), Dilworth, M. (CoI), Higgins, L. (CoI), Johnstone, E. (CoI), Myers, J. (CoI), Palin, V. (CoI), Ruane, P. (CoI), Stevens, A. (CoI), Tropea, T. (CoI), Westwood, M. (CoI) & Worton, S. (CoI)
1/04/24 → 31/03/25
Project: Research
Heazell, A. (PI), Brownbill, P. (CoI), Chernyavsky, I. (CoI), Cotter, S. (CoI), Duhig, K. (CoI), Higgins, L. (CoI), Jensen, O. (CoI), Johnstone, E. (CoI) & Whitfield, C. (CoI)
17/10/22 → 31/03/25
Project: Research
Higgins, L. (PI), Brison, D. (CoI), Dilworth, M. (CoI), Heazell, A. (CoI) & Johnstone, E. (CoI)
1/04/20 → 31/03/24
Project: Research
Higgins, L. (Chair)
Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Organising a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Research
Higgins, L. (Academic expert member)
Activity: Membership › Membership of committee › Research
Higgins, L. (Chair)
Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Organising a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Research
Higgins, L. (Speaker)
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
Higgins, L. (Chair)
Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Participating in a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Research
Higgins, L. (Contributor), Johnstone, E. (Contributor) & Heazell, A. (Contributor), Mendeley Data, 22 Oct 2018
DOI: 10.17632/vsxsjhp6n3.1, https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/vsxsjhp6n3
Dataset
Rimmer, M. P. (Creator), Henderson, I. (Creator), Parry-Smith, W. (Creator), Raglan, O. (Creator), Tamblyn, J. A. (Creator), Heazell, A. E. (Creator) & Higgins, L. (Creator), University of Manchester Figshare, 21 Jun 2022
DOI: 10.48420/14330090, https://figshare.manchester.ac.uk/articles/dataset/NESTT/14330090
Dataset
Student thesis: Phd