Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
Having finished a PhD in surgery at UCL following a BSc in Applied Biology (Bath), I started at King’s in 2003 as a post doc in the Cardiovascular Division. After that, I secured a British Heart Foundation (BHF) intermediate fellowship. I was really enjoying the teaching I was engaged with and when a lectureship in Aerospace Physiology was being advertised, I applied. Since then, I have split my time between running UG and PG modules and programmes and working on my research projects looking at heart failure. I now hold the position of Reader in Human & Applied Physiology.
What is a typical day like for you? How has this changed due to COVID-19?
I would usually be working across three campuses (St Thomas’, Waterloo and Guys) which means I’d been going backwards and forward between the sites for lectures, practicals, research and admin. Now I am working out of my spare room which has been an interesting transition. Teaching online is not the same but I have been innovative to make it interesting for all involved.
Looking back, what has the pandemic and resulting lockdowns taught you?
The pandemic has shown me how adaptable we all can be in the face of a seemingly impossible task. The transition to online education was not straightforward but it has brought out people’s strengths. For me that meant I produced a series of online tutorials (Tutorials for Educators) to help colleagues with the teaching remotely. When lockdown rules allowed, I went back on campus to produce over 30 practical videos for online delivery across several departments in the Faculty.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
“….pay more attention in Chemistry class…”. If I had known that I’d be working now with radionuclides and PET chemists… that would have really helped.
What do you do with your time outside academia?
I have been playing piano since I was 7 years old and find it a good way to step away from work and relax during my down time. It keeps me sane. I have long since upgraded my old Chappel upright piano to a full-blown recording studio and, when there’s time, I enjoy playing the keyboard, singing songs, and writing music. During lockdown I have started to put together an album of me singing my favourite songs, you can listen to it here: https://bit.ly/JamesClarkSongs.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I have really missed interacting with students and colleagues in-person on campus. Physiology is a practical science, and I am very much looking forward to returning to my regular teaching in the laboratory working with students on practical projects and problem-solving classes.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I am passionate about education and guiding our students through their taught programmes. In 2019 I was awarded the prestigious Otto Hutter Prize by the Physiological Society in recognition of excellence in undergraduate physiology education. I am very proud of that achievement.
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
The fantastic group I get to work with. I could not ask for a better group to undertake research with, to teach alongside and to work with to push things forward for the college and for our students.