A Clinically Led, Multidisciplinary Team
The Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG) is led by experienced occupational physicians and health researchers, supported by a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning occupational medicine, public health, employability, policy, and professional education.
Our staff combine clinical experience, applied research, and frontline teaching, ensuring that everything we deliver — from research to education — is grounded in the realities of practice.
Leadership
Professor Ewan Macdonald CBE
Founder and Head, Healthy Working Lives Group
Honorary Professor, University of Glasgow
Professor Macdonald founded HWLG in 1990 and has led over three decades of clinically focused research, education, and policy engagement in occupational medicine and work-related health. His leadership ensures HWLG’s work remains practice-led, policy-relevant, and clinically grounded.
Professor Drushca Lalloo
Deputy Head, Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG)
Honorary Professor in Occupational Medicine, University of Glasgow
Professor Drushca Lalloo is Deputy Head of the Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG) and an Honorary Professor in Occupational Medicine at the University of Glasgow. She provides academic and strategic leadership across the group’s research, teaching, and professional education activities.
Dr Sergio Vargas‑Prada Figueroa
Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG)
University of Glasgow
Dr Sergio Vargas-Prada Figueroa is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow with the Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG) at the University of Glasgow. He is an experienced occupational health researcher with a strong track record in applied epidemiology, musculoskeletal health, and work-related health outcomes.
Dr Simon Harold Walker
Research Associate, Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG)
University of Glasgow
Dr Simon Harold Walker is a Research Associate specialising in occupational suicide prevention and qualitative research. He is seconded to the NIHR Complex Reviews Support Unit as Research Lead for Veteran Mental Health and Trauma. He was awarded a Medical Research Foundation Fellowship for a three-year study focused on suicide among nurses in Scotland.
Effie Assan
Research Assistant, Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG)
University of Glasgow
Effie Assan is a Research Assistant with the Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG) at the University of Glasgow. She supports the group’s applied research across occupational health, public health, and workforce wellbeing, contributing to projects that sit at the interface of research, policy, and practice.
Dr Alice Rutter
Honorary Researcher and Lecturer, Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG)
University of Glasgow
Dr Alice Rutter is an occupational health physician working across NHS and private-sector practice and is active in occupational medicine research and policy. A former Fulbright Scholar and Clinical Leadership Fellow, she has a strong academic and practical background in addressing complex, multi-sector challenges. She is the current Chair of the Society of Occupational Medicine Scottish Group.
Sandra McGuire
Administrative Assistant, Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG)
University of Glasgow
Sandra McGuire supports the administrative services of the Healthy Working Lives Group, helping coordinate group activity across research, teaching, and professional engagement. Her role includes supporting communications, scheduling, document preparation, and liaison with internal and external partners.
Karen Taggart
Administrative Assistant, Healthy Working Lives Group (HWLG)
University of Glasgow
Karen Taggart supports the administrative services of the Healthy Working Lives Group, helping coordinate activity across research, teaching, and professional engagement. Her role includes supporting communications, scheduling, documentation, and liaison with internal and external partners.
Honorary Lecturers and Affiliate Staff
- Dr Kaveh Asanati
- Dr Anshu Bhatia
- Mr Liam Entwistle
- Mrs Mairi Gaffney
- Dr Hazem Gallagher-Alagha
- Dr David Gentles
- Dr Imran Ghafur
- Dr Robbert Hermans
- Mr Kenneth Hill
- Dr Chris Ide
- Dr Chris Kalman
- Dr Alastair Leckie
- Dr Cheryl Liew
- Dr Colin Martin
- Prof Manish Patel
- Dr Munna Roy
- Dr John Wadsworth
- Prof Chris Williams
Healthy Working Lives Group 