Orla is a specialist physiotherapist working within the Cancer Therapy Team at University College London Hospitals. She leads the physiotherapy service for haematology, primarily working with people undergoing treatment for blood cancers, with a special interest in promoting physical activity within the stem cell transplant pathway. She has worked with the UCL Department of Behavioural Science and Health on the Myeloma Advancing Survival Cancer Outcomes Trial (MASCOT), investigating the effects of lifestyle factors on cancer survivorship in patients with the haematological cancer Myeloma. She has a passion for inspiring allied health professionals to participate in clinical research activities and has supported colleagues to apply for research funding to push forward their evidence base. She has been awarded a research training fellowship by the UCLH Centre for Nursing and Midwifery-led Research and is pursuing grant funding to conduct research in the area of prehabilitation for people undergoing stem cell transplant treatment. Outside of work and research, Orla has represented her home nation Ireland at the highest level of international women’s lacrosse, participating at three European Championships and two World Cups. She is also a keen cyclist.
