DrIsabel Briz Hernández

Public and Patient Involvement (PPIE) & Research Leadership

I lead the development of infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives to embed patient and family lived experiences into research and care. By fostering meaningful collaboration between stakeholders, I aim to strengthen institutional capacity for high-quality PPI and consolidate PPI-informed methodologies across healthcare research and service delivery.

Medical Anthropology & Ethnographic Fieldwork

My academic foundation is built on extensive experience in medical anthropology and intensive ethnographic fieldwork, notably exploring the experiences of patients, families, and clinicians involved with advanced therapy medicinal products in international contexts. I specialize in the interface between biomedical technologies, healthcare regulation, and lived experience. This immersion allows me to explore the complex realities of those navigating the boundaries of experimental biotechnology and healthcare services.

Conceptual Innovation & Methodology

I have developed original theoretical frameworks to capture the invisible nuances of modern healthcare, including "Miscellaneous Care" (invisible logistical and affective labor), "Ontological Hope" (reshaping patient identity through trial participation), and "Engaging by Detachment" (ethical calibration in experimental care). I am an expert in qualitative and mixed-methods health research, utilizing in-depth interviews, participant observation, situational analysis, and participatory methodologies such as Photovoice.

Public Engagement & Research Impact

I am dedicated to maximizing research impact through public engagement activities that improve understanding of cancer research and strengthen trust in biomedical innovation. I have designed and delivered impactful initiatives, such as "The Living Stories Behind Cancer Research" at the Museum of Literature of Ireland (MoLI) which facilitate direct dialogue between researchers, patients, and the public.