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.

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

Professor Mark Pallen

In my first post, I talked about my experiences as a medical student and a junior doctor, my growing interest in clinical research and how I decided I wasn't suited to front-line medicine or surgery.

This week, I'll be talking how how I progressed from being a house officer to life in laboratory medicine.

Specialist training in Medical Microbiology

I decided to look at laboratory medicine as a career choice—an option often termed “Pathology” within the UK system. When I asked for advice from the local microbiology professor, J. D. Williams, I was surprised to be offered a job as a temporary lecturer in Medical Microbiology at the London. And so, without much forward planning and a heavy dose of serendipity, I embarked on a career in microbiology.

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

Professor Mark Pallen

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor of Microbial Genomics at Warwick Medical School and I have been here since April 2013.

Although I was once, like you, a medical student and then a medic, I am now a full-time non-clinical academic. I thought I might share my academic journey, highlighting some of the pivotal points in my career, illustrating how I made a living behind enemy lines, as medic going native among the scientists, while also showing how I had some fun along the way.

Learning points (some of them tongue in cheek) are highlighted in the boxes below.

Looking back over the last term

Colin Melville, Head of Medical Education

Christmas is almost upon us. 2013 and 2014 cohorts have already started their break and others will follow shortly. I'm sorry I haven’t been able to meet everyone, but on behalf of all the MB ChB team I do want to wish you all a happy Christmas break.

We've been quite busy during the last term, with the refreshed curriculum now well into its second year, and changes too for those still on the pre-2013 curriculum. The Dean has hosted a number of student breakfasts throughout this term in the Trusts (thank you to our NHS partners for organising these), and we've had a positive and productive SSLC meeting.

"You said, we did..."

Gareth Knott, Student Chair, SSLC

The simple phrase "you said, we did..." encapsulates what the aim of the SSLC is; to get the views of students out there and to ensure that they are listened to, acted upon and that these actions are fed back to students.

Life at medical school is tough, really tough, and it is absolutely right for students to demand excellent experiences, education, facilities and support. All too often for some students it feels like 'excellent' is too generous a word.

Worse than that, students can feel like things can’t change or won't change. They simply complain to each other over a coffee, then buy a cookie, and merrily get on with their lives. But change has happened.

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.