Staff Profile

I am a Clinical Academic Neurologist at Newcastle University and an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

My research focuses on improving treatments for motor neuron disease (MND), rare neuromuscular disorders and mitochondrial disease through translational research that bridges laboratory science and clinical practice.

Alongside my research, I lead the development of NE BRIDGE, a collaborative initiative that brings together academia, the NHS and industry to strengthen rare disease therapeutic translation across the North East.

My research focuses on developing new therapies for motor neuron disease (MND), rare neuromuscular disorders and mitochondrial disease. Using human stem cell models, patient-derived samples and translational neuroscience, I investigate disease mechanisms and evaluate new therapeutic approaches. A particular focus of my work is understanding how mitochondrial dysfunction and altered cellular metabolism contribute to neurodegeneration, with the aim of translating these findings into treatments that improve outcomes for patients.

Research Vision

My ambition is to bridge discovery science and patient care by developing therapies for rare neurological diseases. I hope to contribute to a research environment where collaboration across academia, the NHS and industry enables promising discoveries to reach patients more quickly.

I supervise medical students, MRes students and PhD students undertaking research in motor neuron disease, rare neuromuscular disorders and mitochondrial disease.

Alongside teaching, I am Academic Strand Lead for the Newcastle University MBBS programme, where I support students undertaking academic placements and research projects. I enjoy helping clinicians and scientists develop the skills needed to pursue careers in clinical academic medicine and translational research.

• Articles

  • Jouda H, Browning AC, Aftab AM, Mahmoud I, Bibi S, McFarland R, Pickett SJ, Devine H. Macular OCT inner retinal changes reflect CNS involvement in m.3243A>G disease. BMJ Neurology Open 2025, 7(2), e001232.
  • Devine H, Bhatnagar P, Chambers A, Ledingham D, Bolton C, Reynolds G, Rayner F, Griffiths TD. Bright ears on MRI: An imaging clue to relapsing polychondritis-Associated encephalopathy. Practical Neurology 2025, 25, 84-86.