Chairs
Laura Schembri
I am a Senior Specialist Paediatric Respiratory Dietitian at the Royal Brompton Hospital and Evelina Children's Hospital in London. I completed an NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship in 2025, and have since held a charity-funded research fellowship supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity. My research has focused on nutritional care for children with CF on modulator therapies. Prior to becoming Co-Chair, I was the group secretary.
Darren Sills
I am currently a Research Dietitan and clinical specialist. I work at Nottingham Adult CF Centre but my research spans both children and adults. I have worked in Nottingham over 12 years and in CF for over 15 years. I love the variety offered in CF and have an interest in most areas, but particularly assessing nutritional status, PERT and GI issues.
Treasurer
Vanessa Bara
I joined the Bristol Adult CF Centre as the lead dietitian in 2023. Since making the career change to dietetics in my late 30s I’ve had a variety of adult and paeds roles, including within 2 adult CF centres in London (Barts Health & Brompton). I’ve been part of the committee before and led research into CF dietitian staffing levels which fed into the development of the CF Trust Staffing Tool. Since mid-2026 I’ve been one of the AHP representatives on the CF Trust Registry Steering Committee. I would love to understand more about the gastro effects of CF.
Secretary
Katie Stead
I am a Senior Specialist Paediatric CF Dietitian at Birmingham Children's Hospital. I qualified in 2010 and in 2013 I moved into paediatrics, I have supported a number of paediatric specialities over the years including PICU, cardiology and complex enteral feeding. However my passion is for CF and I have specialised in this since 2015. I have presenting at various meetings including the CF Trust conference, CF Dietitians' group study days and ECFS and I was on the BDA Cystic Fibrosis group committee previously. Since 2022 I have also been a Dietetic Team Leader alongside my clinical CF role.
Social Media Officer
Rebecca McSparron
I have been working in the adult team at the Northern Ireland Regional CF centre for the past 4.5 years. After qualifying from the University of Nottingham in 2019, I briefly worked in York before moving home to Belfast to work in Oncology then CF. A specific area of interest is sports nutrition, having completed a masters in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Ulster last year. I am also a member of the CF Gastro working group and have an interest in supporting Transition in CF.
Research Officer
Currently vacant
Education and Resources Officers
Hannah Winterbottom
Hannah is a Specialist CF Dietitian at the Manchester Adult CF Centre and has been working in cystic fibrosis for almost five years. She began her career in diabetes care, which led to a continued interest in CFRD, patient education and practical nutrition support. She has contributed to national and international research, with publications in the BMJ and the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Hannah recently completed a PGCert in Sports and Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University and is particularly interested in helping people with CF use everyday, evidence-based nutrition strategies to feel well and stay active. As Education and Resource Officer, she is looking forward to helping develop clear, accessible resources for the CF dietetic community
Emma Molloy
I am an Advanced Practitioner in CF at the Northern Ireland Adult CF Centre, where I have worked for 9 years. I qualified as a Dietitian in 2010 and gained experience across a variety of clinical areas before specialising in CF. I am currently undertaking a PGCert in medicines managament. I am a member of the UK CF diabetes group. My many interests include diabetes and GI management.
Events Officer
Caroline Holland
Since qualifying in 2015 I have worked across several Clinical Specialities. I became a Specialist Dietitin for the Blackpool Adult CF Service in 2022. I love the variety the role has to offer. I have a Masters module in Behaviour Change Skills for Health & Social Care Professionals. My particular interests are CF gastro related issues and improving diet quality for longevity in our patient group.
Newly Qualified /New to CF Member
Emma Miller
I began my career in dietetics in 2021 and have been working at the Regional Specialist Northern Ireland Adult CF Centre in Belfast since May 2024. Prior to this role, I gained valuable experience as a community dietitian, also covering a stroke rehabilitation facility. My main interests are body composition and healthy eating that supports longevity and overall health.
Ordinary Member
Diane McTavish
I am an Advanced Practice Dietitian for Cystic Fibrosis within the West of Scotland CF unit in Glasgow. I have 19 years of experience working within this forever evolving and thriving CF unit. Originally from Northern Ireland, my initial training was in Nottingham and Bristol. My interests are in diabetes, gastroenterology, equality for our patient group and myopenia/frailty as our population ages.
Interested in joining the committee?
We have a number of roles available, please click the links above to find out what each role entails. For an informal chat about how you can get involved please contact the current Chairs of the Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Group on [email protected].