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The biggest problem is that there are
not enough hours in the day. I often hear people moaning
about their job - as for mine, it does get frustrating
but it is never, never boring (well except for marking
exam papers…..)
One of the things I like about the
research side is that the stories span over many years…projects
which started as an idea in 1996 are just coming to
fruition now and leading into new and unexpected directions.
Some involve planning parts very far in advance and
when all the elements come together (as occasionally
they do) it is very exciting.
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How did you get in?
I applied to medical school. I perhaps wouldn't
have got into research if an ex-Professor hadn't
phoned me up one day and asked me to apply for
a research fellowship.
What's been
the highlight of your working career so far?
Getting lots of people from all walks of life
to work together in a diabetes service. It is
a great thrill when you feel everyone rowing together
in the same direction, feeling pleased to be doing
it and to be part of a greater venture. I hope
that the best is yet to come as we have many exciting
research projects just starting.
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What keeps you going
through the hard times?
My family. Also someone said to me, being a hero is
about getting up again when you fall down, not never
falling down in the first place. I have had many failures
and nearly given up 4 times, but in the end these have
turned out to be invaluable experiences…!
What's your favourite
trivial pursuit category?
Haven't played it for years, but I like modern history/current
affairs.
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What was your last project/piece
of work/title of last scientific paper?
There are lots of things going on…a project
never finishes, it just changes direction. Our
most recent exciting result was a study in which
combining a new drug with steroids caused dramatic
improvement to people with inflammatory bowel
disease. This may teach us how to make steroids
many times more effective with less side-effects.
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Who inspires you?
Tony Blair; Nelson Mandela, both my parents, and many
of the great contemporary researchers in my field such
as Andrew Hattersley and Steve O'Rahilly.
What would you like to be remembered
for?
Creating a vaccine that eradicates Type 1 diabetes.
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