Dr Katie Warnaby

XXXVIth Edinburgh
Anaesthesia Festival
21-23 August 2024

Dr Katie Warnaby

Dr Katie Warnaby

PhD, MPhys (University of Manchester)

Knoop Research Fellow; Research Fellow, Department of Clinical Neurosciences

I received an undergraduate Masters in Physics and a PhD in Laser Photomedicine from the University of Manchester. I am currently a research fellow in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences with a joint appointment between Ophthalmology, Anaesthetics and FMRIB.

I have a broad range of research interests in neuroimaging of anaesthesia, sleep and pain. I use multi-modal neuroimaging techniques, such as combined electrocephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), to observe the changes in the brain’s activity and connectivity associated with altered states of consciousness, particularly general anaesthesia and sleep. As part of the Knoop fellowship, I will be investigating how these brain structures and networks are modulated by non-image forming light input to the eyes to promote conscious awakening from sleep.

I am also principal investigator of the Oxford Persisting Post-Operative Pain Study (OxPPOPS), in collaboration with Dr Jane Quinlan. OxPPOPS is a major clinical trial to identify the incidence and predictive factors for development of chronic pain after surgery, and its impact on quality of life. Predictive factors under investigation are psychological, neurological, genetic, hormonal, surgical and anaesthetic factors as well as those relating to post-operative analgesic management and sleep. Identification of the variables that predict the development of persistent post-operative pain will allow interventions in ‘at-risk’ patients to be implemented.