Biography

Haifa Lyster studied at the University of Bath, graduating from its school of pharmacy in 1992, and gained her Master’s degree at the London School of Pharmacy. 

She is the consultant pharmacist in transplantation and ventricular assist devices (VADs) at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, basing herself at Harefield Hospital since 1998. 

Areas of expertise

Haifa works closely with clinicians managing VADs and heart and lung transplant patients, providing advice on all aspects of pharmaceutical care, particularly on anti-infective and immunosuppression regimens.

In addition, Haifa has developed her role in the management of these patients as an independent non-medical prescriber.

Research interests

Haifa has written a number of chapters on immunosuppression and heart failure, as well as articles in peer-reviewed journals, which include Transplantation and the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplant.

Her current research interests include: 

• infections, especially anti-infective biofilm penetration
• antifungal drug TDM
• hepatic drug handling
• renal sparing regimens post-transplantation.   

Teaching

Haifa has presented her research in various formats at a number of national and international transplant and anti-infective meetings.

She teaches on various study days to junior medical trainees on topics which include use of inotropes in advanced heart failure, immunosuppression and infections post-transplantation.

Memberships and committees

Haifa is a member of the:

• General Pharmaceutical Council
• Royal Pharmaceutical Society Great Britain
• Chair Thoracic Transplant Pharmacist Group
• United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association
• British Transplant Society
• International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation.