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Outside Guy's Campus on a bright day, with a view of the Shard in the background framed by leafy trees. ;

5 minutes with Nicola Haines

Nicola Haines recently joined King's as the new Chief Operating Officer of the MRC/BHF Centre of Research Excellence in Advanced Cardiac Therapies (REACT) - an ambitious centre to develop transformative new advanced therapeutics for heart disease. We spoke to Nicola about her move from research to research management, her role in REACT, and starting a Yoga Teacher Training course.

Nicola Haines web

Briefly, tell us about your background and career/studies up to this point?

After several post-doc roles in the US, Canada, and Switzerland, I moved back to the UK and moved into research management roles in universities. This was followed by three years at the Wellcome Trust. Whilst working for a well-resourced funder like Wellcome has its advantages, I find greater satisfaction being closer to the research and working directly with research teams. Two months into my new role as Chief Operating Officer of the MRC/BHF Centre of Research Excellence in Advanced Cardiac Therapies (REACT) has only confirmed this.

What is a typical day like for you? 

Varied, but generally including yoga, tea and time with my mini schnauzer

Looking back, did the pandemic and resulting lockdowns teach you anything you’re willing to share?

The pandemic was crazy, I was running an already busy Research Office and managing the institutional REF submission. I (eventually) learnt to delegate better and get more done.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

With our new MRC/BHF Centre of Research Excellence in Advanced Cardiac Therapies (REACT) in a great place and set up for a successful funding renewal in year 6.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Starting Yoga Teacher Training in September

QUICK-FIRE:

Favourite season: Spring - just as the trees and plants come back to life

Favourite London restaurant: Café Murano, Covent Garden, specifically the two spots at the top end of the bar

Netflix recommendation: Life’s too short for Netflix ;-)

Most-used emoji: :) smiley face

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