DrAnika Petrella

Anika is Head of Behavioural Science at the Helix Centre, part of the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) in the Department of Surgery & Cancer. She works across the centre's projects to embed behavioural science insights and methods alongside human-centred design.

Her work focuses on developing and evaluating solutions to healthcare challenges facing clinicians and the public, with a particular interest in helping people live well with and beyond illness. Much of her research to date has centred on those affected by cancer, spanning digital health trials, mixed-methods co-design and sport-based supportive care. Health equity runs through this work, as does a commitment to patient and public involvement as a foundation of research.

Before joining Helix, Anika held research roles in the Health Psychology group at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London, the Cancer Clinical Trials Unit at University College London Hospitals, and Surgical Oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. She completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, where she tested innovative behavioural medicine approaches to improve quality of life after cancer in young adulthood.

Alongside her academic role, Anika maintains an independent clinical practice.