Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I studied BSc Cellular Pathology and PhD in Immunology at the University of Bristol. My postdoctoral career both at Bristol and at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas focused on designing and testing new immunotherapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis. This continued when I joined King’s in 2001 as a Senior Lecturer. For the last 15 years my focus has been on education - helping to design, manage and deliver programmes and modules within Immunology and Medical Education. I have a strong interest in widening participation from outreach activities in schools to supporting students into and through their academic journey at King’s.
You are Co-Director for the Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP) at King’s. Could you tell us a bit about the programme?
The EMDP has been designed to widen participation to medicine, reflecting a nationally held view (including the General Medical Council) that clinicians ought to better reflect the populations they serve (i.e. diversifying the medical profession).
The EMDP is the largest and longest running (24 years, since 2001) course of this type. It provides a six-year course that spreads the first year of the medical degree over two years, allowing for a more gradual transition to medical education, with added support in the early years (academic, pastoral and financial).
Anyone from a non-selective state school in the UK can apply. Selection is highly contextualised, taking account of each individual’s socio-economic and educational background and using a range of widening participation markers, including care-leaver status. This ensures the most competitive candidates – in light of their backgrounds – are selected.
What motivated you to focus on widening participation within medicine?
I have several roles within education including teaching Immunology to both BSc and MSc students, but my work with the EMDP I view as my most rewarding role as I feel that it really makes a difference seeing these young people develop their professional identity over the years and then graduate as Doctors. Many of our graduates go to work as GPs in the local communities where they were raised where they can make a significant contribution to healthcare provision.
What do you think people in the Faculty would find most surprising about you?
I used to be a semi-professional magician performing in Paris, Brussels, Russia and Weston-super-Mare!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
As part of my role within widening participation (WP) I was the chair of King’s Health Partners WP committee for 10 years. This culminated in the committee winning the 2017 King’s Award for WP and Social Mobility.
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
This is going to sound a bit trite or obvious but it is the students, particularly those on the EMDP - watching their development and celebrating with them their many achievements during their time at King's and post-graduation.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Summer- particularly when I am on vacation!
Favourite scientist: I am going to say my mentor Prof Chris Elson from the University of Bristol. He trained me how to be a good research scientist and how to write successful grant applications and publications.
Favourite cuisine: There is not much that I do not like (except bananas!) - but if pressed, pan-Asian/Chinese.
Your pet peeve: People staring at their mobile phones when walking, so I am usually the one who has to move to avoid bumping into them.