Professor Tara Renton
Job title
Chair in Oral Surgery/Cons
Department/Division
Biomaterials, Biomimetics
& Biophotonics
Date started at King’s
2006
Challenges and achievements
When and what was responsible for you becoming interested in your academic discipline?
I had two inspiring clinical trainers early on in my career that focused my interest in Oral Surgery. As combining career options and family became clear, I opted for an academic pathway and now find my combined activity as a surgeon, researcher and trainer incredibly rewarding.
What are your research interests, and what drew you to this area?
Neuroscience and Pain in the head and neck region and prevention of nerve injuries and pain in relation to surgery
Tell us about a couple of your achievements that have been particularly rewarding.
The most rewarding aspects of my work are providing patients with optimum care often predicated on our own clinical research and our research work being shortlisted in the top ten KHP impact cases for 2014 REF.
Do you have professional role models? Who are they and what do you find inspiring about them and their accomplishments?
Irene Tracey, Professor Neuroscience at Oxford University. I regard her as a role model in that she maintains a happy home life whilst leading an inspiring area of research with modesty, great pragmatism and excellent communication.
What if any support has most benefited you in your career?
My family and a few supportive colleagues
What do you feel is the most enjoyable/rewarding aspect of your job at King’s?
Working in an environment that enables one to ‘make a difference’ in my chosen area of health care
How do you balance the various demands of a career in academia: research, teaching/learning, administration?
Having a secret weapon (my husband) who also balances a successful career sharing family work balance
How do you balance an academic career with life outside the workplace?
With great difficulty. My three grown up children still speak to us and enjoy our company and I have been married for 27 years, greater success than any work related success. However having inspiring work has kept me positive and proactive in many aspects of my life.
What have you learnt from your experiences that you would like to share with others?
Welcoming opportunities and challenges whilst remaining resolute when facing difficult decisions about work life balance.