Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I am originally a Sports Scientist, specialising in Physiology. I started working in cell and molecular physiology during my PhD and moved into regenerative medicine during my post-doc. Now I’m a Professor of Regenerative Muscle Physiology, so bringing them all together.
What is a typical day as a DDI Lead like for you?
I have to balance a few roles – education, research, admin, DDI, so a typical day will involve tasks for all of these, but I make sure I embed and promote aspects of DDI into everything I do. And I’m always thinking of new ideas to contribute to the School or Faculty DDI agenda.
What do you think people in the School would find most surprising about you?
I don’t like coffee or chocolate.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Don’t rush to be a success. The path is long and it’s not a race!
Do you have any current projects that you’d like to tell us about?
We are planning next year’s School Holiday Activity Camps, where we welcome the children of staff and PhD students onto campus and they get to participate in fun and interactive activities about Physiology, Medicine and Biomedicine. Bookings will be open after Christmas so watch this space 😊.
What do you do with your time outside academia/work?
I like to spend time with my family and friends – going on bike rides, runs and walks. I also like to cook.
What are you most looking forward to working on as a DDI Lead this year?
I’m looking forwards to increasing widening participation and tackling inequalities through offering free spaces on the School Holiday Activity camps to local children from low-economic backgrounds. I’m also looking forwards to working on the Faculty Silver Athena SWAN award renewal application.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Other than having my daughter 😊 Delivering a TEDx talk to 1000 people in my home town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and it’s had 91K of views on YouTube. Maybe the people of King’s can get it up to 100K!?!
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Spring, it’s my birthday 😊
Favourite London restaurant: It used to be Belgo but it closed due to the pandemic. I like Aqua Shard.
Favourite book: New York: The Photo Atlas; an Aerial Tour of all Five Boroughs. 2004 Edition. I like to look at all the places I used to visit when I lived there.
Netflix recommendation: Yellowstone (but it’s on Disney+).