Behind enemy lines: a medic goes native among the scientists (Part Three)

Professor Mark Pallen

In my previous post, I talked about how I entered the world of laboratory medicine, first as a clinical academic gaining my MD at Barts, and then doing my PhD at Imperial College.

In this, my final piece, I'll talk about my focus on basic research, the challenges faced by clinical academics and how advances in technology eventually led me back to translational research.

Making a living from basic research

In late 1998, my fellowship finished and I returned to my old job at Barts. The first year back was very exciting, as I got stuck into analysing bacterial genome sequences that were being sequenced at the UK’s new genome sequencing centre, the Sanger Centre.

Welcome to the Medical Education Blog

Professor Lesley Roberts, Pro Dean Education

This is the first of what I hope will be many blogs created by faculty and students (with maybe a smattering of guest bloggers) within the School. I hope this will act as a forum for you to learn a little more about the staff you work with and for us to do the same about your experiences as a Warwick medical student.

I perhaps need to start with an introduction. I joined WMS in July, taking over the role of Pro Dean Education from Professor Neil Johnson. This was a big move for me, having spent almost the last 20 years working in the Medical School at Birmingham.

The schools are very different in size, age and of course in terms of school leaver versus graduate entry. My new role expands far beyond the MB ChB and I have responsibility for our educational delivery, development and strategy including our postgraduate programmes and other professional training.