Dr Magdalena Rzewuska Diaz

Biography

I'm an Advanced Research Fellow and lead Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) at the Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation (ACE), which I joined in 2017.

My research focuses on people with early-stage kidney disease from disadvantaged backgrounds, who face complex health needs due to physical conditions, healthcare neglect, and difficult life circumstances.

Over the years, I have developed expertise as an equity-focused, interdisciplinary implementation researcher while training in counselling and psychotherapy over the past four years (a distinct profession in the UK since the 90s). This builds on my background in psychology and my PhD on primary care-based care for depression and anxiety in osteoarthritis.

My interdisciplinary skills include:

• As an implementation researcher, my training began with quantitative methods, clinimetrics,  and evidence synthesis, later expanding into implementation science methods (qualitative research, mixed-methods evaluation, priority setting, and core outcome development). I design and deliver research projects that bridge evidence and practice.
• As a psychologist, I can apply behavioural frameworks to design, evaluate, and implement interventions that improve healthcare access and adherence.
• As a community-based counselling practitioner (trainee) for underserved populations, I understand, design, deliver, implement, and advocate for the scaling up of mental health care interventions.
• As the PPI lead, I have advanced skills in multi-stakeholder engagement. In 2023, my efforts and expertise were recognised with the Principal’s Award for Excellence in Public Engagement (Main Prize).

Before joining ACE, I was a postdoctoral research fellow in Brazil’s Science without Borders Programme, working on primary care-based multimorbidity management for one of the world’s most socially and medically vulnerable populations. I also trained at the George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney - a renowned global health research institute.

Prizes and Awards

2023 Principal's Prize for Research and Engagement: Public Engagement with Research: Main Award

Research Overview

Research Focus

I focus on improving early-stage kidney healthcare, particularly for disadvantaged populations facing systemic barriers to care. My research initially explored multi-morbidity and complex care needs, but over time, it has become increasingly focused on kidney health, where I have published and secured funding to advance health equity in this area.

I'm responsible for qualitative, interventions planning and  I have made important research contributions (PPI) work packages in the KINDER study (Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office), investigating inequalities in kidney healthcare in Scotland, with a focus on policy impact and patient engagement. Additionally, I contribute to an NIHR-funded project aimed at making kidney care more equitable and accessible, particularly for underserved populations facing barriers to early diagnosis and treatment.

KINDER: Understanding and reducing inequalities in kidney health care and outcomes in Scotland | Projects A-Z | Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation | The University of Aberdeen

Beyond kidney care, I conduct research on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in PPI and contribute to data-driven and digital technology health innovation, as strategies that can potentially reduce health and power inequalities. 

Methodology & Implementation Science

My work is rooted in stakeholder collaboration, building strong partnerships with the NHS, patient groups, clinicians, and organisations to drive meaningful change. I employ a mixed-methods approach with a strong implementation science focus, ensuring that research translates into practical, impactful healthcare improvements.

As an implementation researcher, I work to address complex health challenges that disproportionately affect underserved populations, particularly those with kidney disease. My research focuses on:

• Identifying healthcare challenges and solutions through multidisciplinary research and stakeholder collaboration.
• Translating research into action, ensuring evidence informs policy, professional practice, and healthcare innovation.
• Involving patients, the public, and third-sector organisations in research to enhance the real-world impact of interventions, ensuring they are effectively implemented and widely adopted.

Commitment to Health Equity

My dedication to health equity is shaped by both lived experience and professional engagement. Coming from a disadvantaged background, I have seen first-hand how structural barriers impact health outcomes. Through global research and direct counselling work with underserved populations, I reinforce the importance of accessible, trust-based care.

In my view, we should all care about health inequalities because unequal access to healthcare results in poorer health outcomes, higher costs, and a less healthy society. Tackling these disparities isn’t just about improving individual lives - it strengthens healthcare systems, communities, and society as a whole.

Current Research

• Understanding and Reducing Inequalities in Kidney Health Care and Outcomes in Scotland – KINDER Study, Chief Scientist Office (CSO) (Qualitative & PPI Work Packages Lead)
• Mixed-Method Evidence Synthesis for Equity: Identifying inclusive education and information interventions for people managing early-stage chronic kidney disease – NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) (Implementation Science Consultation, Co-Applicant)
• Planning mode of birth in routine antenatal care – development of a decision aid (Plan-A) (PPI Work Package Lead)

Past Research

• Understanding Digital Appointment Inequalities in NHS Grampian – NHS Grampian Endowment (Chief Investigator)
• ICAIRD WYSA Evaluation – Department of Health and Social Care (Advisory Team, Consultation)
• How to Involve the Public in Health Data-Intensive Research – Internal Funding to Pump-Prime Interdisciplinary Research and Impact (Chief Investigator)
• Supporting Osteoporosis Care: Evaluating an automated classification system for identifying people at risk – Grampian Osteoporosis Trust (Consultation, Co-Applicant)
• Reshaping Secondary Care Consultations Post-COVID-19: Investigating the role of asynchronous consultation methods – ACORN Study, Health Foundation (Project Researcher, Co-Applicant)
• Networked Data Lab (NDL) – Health Foundation (PPI Work Package Lead)
• Preparing for the Real-World Evaluation of an AI System for Breast Cancer Screening: Identifying and assessing stakeholder needs – UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (Collaborator)
• Deep Neural Network for Fracture Localisation and Reporting – Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) (Worpackage Lead, Co-Applicant)
• Brazil-UK Partnership for Development, Improvement, and Implementation of Integrated Person-Centred Care in Health Systems – GCRF-IPPF Application Round 5 (Chief Investigator)
• The Intensive Care Syndrome: Promoting Independence and Return to Employment (InS:PIRE) – Evaluating the scaling up of a quality improvement initiative – The Health Foundation (Project Researcher)
• JPIAMR Behavioural Approaches Working Group – Research Council of Norway (RCN), Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR), Fourth Call 2016 (Project Researcher)
• Development and Evaluation of Collaborative Care Models to Improve Access and Quality of Care for Brazilian Primary Care Patients with Chronic Medical Conditions and Concomitant Depressive or Anxiety Disorders – Fellowship, Programa Ciência sem Fronteiras – Atração de Jovens Talentos (Fellowship)

Knowledge Exchange

ACE PPI coordinator since November 2022.

Public Engagement with Research: Main Award (2023).

PPI planning/delivery: KINDER study, NDL study, PLAN-A study, ACORN study.

Collaborations

University of Manchester, Salford University, University of Dundee; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection; Imperial College London; City University, London; Ottawa Health Research Institute, Canada; University of Ottawa; Cochrane Germany, University of Freiberg; Ottawa Hospital, Canada; University of Toronto; Haukeland University Hospital and University of Bergen; University of Sao Paulo

Funding and Grants

Research grants:

• "Evaluation of Crowdsourcing Use for Inclusive and Diverse PPI Engagement in Clinical Trials" - Trials and Methodology Research Partnership (TMRP) DTP funded PhD (lead PhD supervisor, stipend, Tuition Fees, Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG) up to £5,000 p.a.)

• "Understanding and reducing inequalities in kidney health care and outcomes in Scotland" - Chief Scientist Office  - £298,947.93 (co-applicant, lead for qualitative and intervention work packages)

• "Mixed Method Evidence Synthesis for Equity: to identify inclusive" education and information interventions for all people managing early-stage chronic kidney disease"-  NIHR Health Technology Assessment (Salford, GB) - £316,801 (co-applicant)

• "Understanding digital appointment inequalities in NHS Grampian: exploring digital exclusion and identifying solutions to address it with our rural and urban communities" - NHS Endowment Research Grant - £11,954.95  (lead applicant)

• "How to involve the public in health data-intensive research" - Internal Funding to Pump-Prime Interdisciplinary Research and Impact" - £7,700  (lead applicant)

• "Reshaping secondary care consultations after COVID-19: the role of asynchronous consultation methods" - Health Foundation -  £203,04 + £49,36 (co-applicant, qualitative researcher)

• "Supporting osteoporosis care: Can an automated classification system effectively case finding people at risk" -  the Grampian Osteoporosis Trust - £87,814 (co-applicant)

• "Supporting osteoporosis care: Can an automated classification system effectively case finding people at risk?" - NHSG Endowment Grant 2020 - £10,066 (co-applicant)

• "Brazil-UK partnership for development, improvement and implementation of integrated person-centred care in health systems" - GCRF-IPPF application Round 5 - £10,000 (lead applicant)

• "Deep Neural Networks for Fracture Localisation and Reporting" - SBRI & Innovate UK-  £18,783 (co-applicant, interface development lead)

ECR fellowships:

Development and Evaluation of Collaborative Care Models to Improve Access and Quality of Care for Brazilian Primary Care Patients with Chronic Medical Conditions and Concomitant Depressive or Anxiety Disorders – Brazilian Science Without Borders Programme – Attraction of Young Talent (ECR Fellowship)

PhD at the Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, England, thesis title:  "From identification to management of depression and anxiety coexisting with osteoarthritis" (fully funded PhD fellowship)

Teaching Responsibilities

Present: 

• PU5040 Health, Well-being & Behaviour Change (coordinator) 
• PU5039 Qualitative Health Research (unit  lead)

Past:

• PU5031 Evidence-Based Health (marking)
• PU5058 Introduction to Health Data Science (tutor)
• MBChB Year 4 Student Selected Component (tutor)
• PU5528 Values and Ethics in Public Health (tutor)
• The original course - Future Learn: Utilising Social Science and Behaviour Change in Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes: Improving Healthcare

Non-course Teaching Responsibilities

PU5548 Work Based Placement IHS (since 2024)

PU5922 MSc Research Project (supervisor)