Dr Elinor Sebire

Biography

I am a Research Assistant at the Institute of Applied Health Sciences, building on my previous work as a PhD student within the same institute. My doctoral research explored the impact of implementing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) into antenatal screening for Down's syndrome in Scotland, and I continue to develop this research in my current role (The impact of implementing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) into the Scottish antenatal screening programme for Down's syndrome | The Institute of Applied Health Sciences | The University of Aberdeen).

My research interests centre on women’s health and public health, with a particular emphasis on generating knowledge to inform appropriate, sensitive, and equitable patient care. I am especially interested in how health services can be designed and adapted to meet the diverse needs of the populations they serve.

I use a mixed-methods approach in my work, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gain a comprehensive understanding of health behaviours, outcomes, and service delivery. This approach enables me to combine statistical and epidemiological insights with the lived experiences and perspectives of service users and healthcare professionals.

Ultimately, my aim is to contribute to research that supports better-informed health policy and practice - improving access, experience, and outcomes for communities across different contexts.

External Memberships

Society for Reproduction and Fertility (2024 - present)

Stakeholder Groups

• Member of the stakeholder group overseeing the NIPT evaluation being conducted by Public Health Scotland (evaluation of the implementation and impact of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in the antenatal screening pathways in Scotland (introduced September 2020))

Current Research

Child health and congenital conditions:

• Barriers and facilitators of implementing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a first-line screening test
• Prevalence of pregnancies diagnosed with congenital conditions in Scotland and its association with socio-demographic factors
• Impact of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) on pregnancy and postnatal outcomes of babies affected by Down’s syndrome in Scotland (PhD research)

Past Research

Pregnancy and child health:

• The impact of in utero exposure to cancer treatments on foetal reproductive development and future fertility (BSc research and systematic review publication - University of Edinburgh)

Funding and Grants

Funding

October 2021 - September 2025 Medical Research Scotland PhD Studentship (grant number PHD-50200-2020).

October 2025 - April 2028 University of Aberdeen Roy Weir Fellowship