Meet Tinashe, Head of Research

Ahead of Black Leaders Awareness Day, meet Tinashe Samakomva, Head of Research (Nursing & Midwifery) at St George’s.

“Curiosity has always been at the heart of who I am – I love asking questions. During nurse training, I was constantly asking “why?” and even quizzing surgeons about genetics in theatres. This inquisitiveness led me to pursue my first research role.

“What I love most about research is the people—patients, clinical colleagues, and our brilliant research teams. I’m passionate about making research an integral part of everyday care, and one of my proudest moments was representing St George’s in NHS England’s Clinical Matron’s Research Toolkit, which helps embed research into frontline nursing.

“Like many, the pandemic brought challenges I hadn’t anticipated. But amidst it all, I completed a Master's in Clinical Trials and helped set up a COVID-19 ICU trial using Tocilizumab—a drug I had worked with years earlier—making it feel like everything had come full circle. 

“Outside of work, you’ll find me unwinding with long walks and immersing myself in the arts—whether museums, galleries, opera, or ballet. I also play guitar and compose contemporary church music.”