Stella Kozmér

Background

Dr Stella Kozmér is a researcher in primary care, mental health and health behaviours, specialising in the identification and management of binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) and enhancing the intersection of obesity and weight management research with eating disorder research. Her research uses mixed-methods approaches to generate clinically relevant evidence that informs guideline development and implementation in real-world healthcare settings.

She completed her PhD in Health Research at the University of Exeter (funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research), where her work focused on improving recognition and treatment pathways for binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa in primary care. Her research integrates patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) throughout, ensuring strong alignment with clinical need and lived experience.

Current work

Dr Kozmér is currently working on:

• Process evaluation of the LightCOM randomised controlled trials, examining delivery, patient and staff experience, and implementation fidelity of intensive weight loss intervention for obesity
• Cross-national comparisons of intervention delivery in collaboration with Danish partners
• Development of fellowship and grant applications, alongside training in CPRD data and advanced statistical methods

Doctoral research

Her doctoral programme comprised three interlinked studies:

• A qualitative systematic review exploring healthcare professional and patient perspectives on the identification and management of BED and BN (International Journal of Eating Disorders)
• A national survey mapping current UK primary care practices, contributing to the development of NICE guidance on digital interventions (BJGP Open)
• An in-depth qualitative study (interviews, focus groups, and stakeholder workshops) identifying barriers, facilitators, and practical recommendations for improving care pathways

This programme adopted a sequential mixed-methods design to produce actionable recommendations grounded in stakeholder and lived experience input. She was supervised by Dr Samantha van Beurden, Associate Prof Jane Smith and Associate Prof Natalia Lawrence.

Previous and ongoing projects

• Systematic review on the accuracy and suitability of screening tools for BED and BN in primary care (BJGP Open)
• Collaboration with international partners on the validity of DSM-5 BED specifiers (Obesities)
• Systematic review and meta-analysis on GLP-1 receptor agonists and binge eating (in review)
• Research on cognitive and neuropsychological mechanisms underpinning eating disorders, including fMRI studies and behavioural experiments
• Contribution to the development of regional eating disorder research networks and collaboration with national policy groups and charities.

Interests

Primary care mental health; eating disorders; early identification and intervention; implementation science; mixed-methods research; patient and public involvement; digital and complex interventions; health services research

Additional roles

• Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in clinical psychology and health research
• Dissertation supervision and student mentoring
• Guest lecturing on eating disorders and compulsive behaviours
• Active contributor to national and international collaborations in eating disorders and obesity research

Clinical background

Dr Kozmér has extensive frontline clinical experience across private and NHS mental health and acute care settings, including specialist eating disorder services. This informs her translational approach and commitment to bridging the gap between research and practice.