Varaidzo Mapunde

Vee is Co‑Director of the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Accelerated Surgical Care. This means she helps guide how research is organised and makes sure new medical technologies are developed, tested, and introduced safely and responsibly, with patients' needs at the centre. Throughout her career, Vee has worked within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), supporting research that aims to improve treatments, services, and patient outcomes. She has helped surgeons, researchers, and technology companies work together to turn ideas into tools that can be used in hospitals and clinics. In addition to her main role, Vee advises organisations that support healthcare innovation and development. She also mentors young people, early‑career professionals, and health technology startups, helping them learn how to develop ideas that are safe, effective, and patient‑centred.