Briefly, tell us about your background and career/studies up to this point?
I am from The Black Country and consequently I have a very working-class background; my dad worked as a Foreman in a Foundry and my mother was a stay-at-home mom looking after 4 kids, of which I was the youngest. Going to University therefore was not something that I ever aspired to when growing up. Seeing my eldest brother go made me realise that it was something I could do too.
So, after my A-levels, I studied Medical Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham after which I remained to study for a PhD in Biochemistry; this journey has now come full circle, with my daughter recently completing her PhD in the very same Department! My first post-doc was again at Birmingham, continuing the research I started during my PhD into neurodegenerative disease. However, when applying for human brain tissue for the project I ended up meeting my future wife, who was the manager of the brain bank in UCL (a long story, not as romantic or as weird as it sounds). So I translocated to the South-East, where I had a stint as a post-doc in UCL working on Parkinson’s disease. I followed this with a post-doc at St. George’s, University of London working on Alzheimer’s disease. It was here that I was awarded my first grant to develop my own research track focussing upon the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Towards the end of my grant, I came across an advert for Lecturer in Biochemical Toxicology in the Department of Pharmacy here at King’s. Trouble was, I had one day to compete the application, so it was quite a rushed job! I did something right, because I was offered the post. Almost 17 years later, I am still here. In that time, I have expanded my research interests to cover the pathogenic mechanisms of disease and have made many national and international collaborations with colleagues many of whom are now close friends. I have also developed my teaching roles, taking on responsibilities such as the exam board chair and SCA Misconduct panel chair, culminating in my recent appointment as the new Head of Department of Pharmacy which I start in August.
What do you think people in the School would find most surprising about you?
I am a semi-professional musician.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
You are at the cusp of beginning your life’s journey. It will be a roller coaster, but as with all rides it will be an exhilarating one. Just keep your arms in at all times.
Who inspires you most and why?
It sounds corny, but my mother. My dad died when I was very young, leaving her with 4 children to raise on her own. She instilled in me a strong work ethic alongside values such as self-reliance and honesty which I hope I have passed on to my own kids and to the students I have taught over the years. She is incredibly proud of my job here at King’s, never missing the opportunity to tell anyone and everyone about my latest news. If she were to look back, I would like to think she would be proud of a job well done.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I never thought, when I joined King’s, that 17 years later I would become Head of Department of Pharmacy. The opportunity to join the list of Heads spanning over a century of Pharmacy teaching at King’s is both exhilarating and daunting at the same time.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite London restaurant:
The German Gymnasium
Favourite scientist:
Can I say “me”? No, seriously, Rosalind Franklin.
Favourite Book:
Duma Key by Stephen King.
Describe yourself in three words…
Curious, committed, adaptable