Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I completed my medical degree at the University of Bristol in 2006 and did my postgraduate medical training in the South West and London. I undertook a PhD at UCL in 2016, researching the role of chemokines in cardioprotection. I then moved to King’s and have just completed an NIHR Clinical Lectureship investigating the role of myeloid cells in remodelling after myocardial infarction. I am about to CCT in Cardiology with a subspecialty interest in heart failure.
What is a typical day like for you? How has this changed due to COVID-19?
I’m up early with my young kids and the mornings are hectic so I walk to work most days for a bit of headspace and to mull over research plans or listen to a podcast. The rest of the day is spent juggling clinical and academic commitments. After herding the kids to bed, I either do some work or binge-watch Netflix! Clinical work has been busier due to COVID-19 but as lockdown eases it’s great to be getting back to some research.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Keep up your hobbies, get some sleep and don’t worry, it will all work out better than you could ever imagine.
Do you have any current projects that you’d like to tell us about?
I am interested in the role of myeloid cells in the development of heart failure after myocardial infarction, using both laboratory and human studies. We are recruiting patients after MI and investigating their inflammatory response using some exciting techniques, and hope to find novel targets to reduce the huge burden of heart failure.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
My aim is to continue in a combined clinical academic role. Ultimately, I would love to develop my research towards a clinical trial. I am also keen to extend this to other cardiac conditions, such as myocarditis.
What do you do with your time outside academia?
I spend most of my free time with my wife and three young children. I used to play a lot of rugby, but my joints can’t take it anymore, so now I watch games when I can. I’m also an enthusiastic (although very amateur) carpenter.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
The Lions tour of South Africa!
What is something positive that happened to you in 2020?
Actually lots – it was a tough year but there were lots of positives, especially with my children. I taught my eldest to ride a bike, the middle one learnt to read and my youngest started walking.
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
The variety, in particular the balance of academic and clinical work. I love working as part of a team in both roles and really value all the friends I have gathered along the way.