Dr Christian Mallen, Keele University

I qualified from Nottingham University in 1998 and joined the North Staffordshire Academic VTS in 1999. This provided two years as an academic registrar that allowed the completion of a MMedSci investigating the prevalence of chronic pain in young adults.

On completing my GP training, I took a part-time partnership in Newcastle-under-Lyme and completed an MPhil degree exploring the relationship between early life events and chronic pain in adulthood. This MPhil led to me being awarded the first Arthritis Research Campaign Primary Care Fellowship that formed the basis of my PhD. The PhD has investigated the prognosis of musculoskeletal pain in older adults in general practice.

My main interests are musculoskeletal research, depression and anxiety as comorbid conditions and clinical epidemiology. I also lead a programme of research around the early diagnosis and optimal management of inflammatory disorders in primary care.