Ali Timmons joined HDR UK as the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Manager for the Big Data for Complex Disease Driver (BDCD) programme. She brings 12 years of experience across research, healthcare, and health tech, with a proven track record of bridging the gap between technical data initiatives and the lived experiences of patients and carers. Her work is defined by a commitment to health equity, transforming complex research landscapes into accessible, community-driven environments that deliver meaningful impact. In her current role, Ali leads the PPIE strategy for the Big Data for Complex Disease Driver programme, focusing on amplifying the voices of the public to shape how health data is used to tackle complex conditions including, but not limited to, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Within the BDCD, she leads a project spanning the four nations to explore the experiences, views, and priorities of LGBTQIA+ individuals living with cancer regarding the collection, storage, and usage of health data. This research aims to identify practical ways to improve trust, strengthen data collection, and shape research priorities that can actively reduce the health inequalities faced by LGBTQIA+ communities across the cancer care continuum. Ali aims to share the outputs of this project in creative and impactful ways for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ali’s leadership extends across the organisation as the operational lead for the Public Excellence in Data Research Initiative (PEDRI) resource hub and as the managing Chair of the Central PPIE Leads Community. In these capacities, she aligns cross-functional strategies and fosters inter-organisational collaboration. She is currently leading the design of a strategic two-day session to harmonise Health Data Research UK’s national engagement efforts. Her work ensures that patient insights are not merely an output, but a core operational driver of research governance and strategy.

Prior to her current roles, Ali served as a Childhood Cancer Specialist, for a health tech non-profit where she developed a global strategy for partnerships and led UK-wide initiatives for Children and Young People (CYP) and carer communities. Her ability to organise equitable and impactful grassroots strategies and translate those insights into product development was instrumental in building digital tools designed to help families navigate the cancer journey. With a background that includes managing clinical trials across multiple disease modalities and treating patients in United States clinical settings, Ali brings a global, multi-sector perspective to her advocacy.

Ali holds a Master of Science in Global Health and Social Justice from King’s College London, alongside dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Neuroscience and Gender Studies from the University of Utah. This unique multidisciplinary foundation bridges hard scientific rigour with a deep commitment to social equity. Her professional passion is centred on amplifying patient and carer voices, with a specific interests in rare diseases, women’s health, and the intersectional experiences of children and young people and marginalised communities.