The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Ashwin's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Ashwin
I am a Clinical Academic Liver Specialist with an interest in translational research to improve outcomes for people with chronic liver disease. I have expertise in addressing stigma and health inequalities through clinical trials.
My programme of research focuses on people with alcohol-related liver disease, who have poor quality of life and die prematurely (average age of death 56). I was Chief Investigator of the NIHR-funded partnership, which brought together experts by training and experience to prioritise research questions around stigma. This led to the CALM project: development of a peer-led intervention to improve engagement and outcomes in people with liver disease, which began in December 2025. This project tackles the issue of unconnected healthcare services that stigmatise people experiencing multiple health challenges including liver disease, mental health and addiction.
I am Chief Investigator of the NIHR-funded BOOST clinical trial of a nutritional intervention to improve function and quality of life in people with advanced liver cirrhosis, which began recruitment at 8 UK sites in August 2025. This Phase 4 clinical trial targets people who don't often participate in research using a low-risk dietary supplement (HMB). Results are expected in mid-2027.
I am Chair of the Joint Clinical Academic Advisory Board between the °µÍø½âÃÜ and University Hospitals °µÍø½âÃÜ NHS Trust, which aims to foster a collaborative and inclusive research environment in °µÍø½âÃÜ. I am leading a programme of support for our clinical academic community including development of mentorship, networking and collaboration opportunities.
On a national level, from 2019-2024, I led the British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) Special Interest Group for . This multidisciplinary group brings together active clinicians and researchers to develop national studies and trials in alcohol-related liver disease. During this period I led a national audit of hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver disease, validating a new method to identify patients from hospital coding. I developed best practice guidelines for the management of people with alcohol-related liver disease and a subsequent national audit of the key performance indicators related to this. I am committee member of the British Society of Gastroenterology , and have helped develop educational liver programmes and clinical guidelines. I am a regional advisor for the , a charity that aims to increase training and awareness of alcohol-related health problems in medical students and resident doctors and have contributed to their annual symposium.
I am an active clinician as a Consultant Hepatologist and manage patients with acute and chronic liver disease at the at Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals °µÍø½âÃÜ NHS Trust. I am Principal Investigator for a range of NIHR portfolio trials providing our local community access to new treatments and interventions for liver disease. These range from commercial trials of treatments for alcohol-related liver disease to trials of ditigal interventions for cirrhosis.
Contact Ashwin