Transcript The life of a clinical academic

The life of a clinical academic…
Dr Victoria Salem
Diabetes UK Harry Keen Fellow
Outline
• My career pathway to date
• Grant application process
• My PhD research (briefly!)
• The slippery postdoctoral slope
• Pros and cons of an academic career
• Work/life balance
Medical
School
Early Clinical
Training
Academic
Clinical Fellow
• Intercalated BSc Medical Physics 1999
• MBBS 2002
• 2002-2003 House officer posts
• 2003 -2004 A+E / TRAVEL
• 2004-2006 SHO Medical Rotation
• 2006 - MRCP
• ACF/SpR Diabetes and Endocrinology
Early SpR years
GRANT APPLICATION
PROCESS
• 2006-2007 Watford General
Hospital
• 2007-2008 Northwick Park
Hospital
• 3 months per year in lab
• Pilot data
• MRC CRTF
Grant Application Process
Person, place, project
• ACF – advantage of dedicated lab time
– Do I want to be an academic?
– Pilot data
– Forging a relationship with your supervisors
– Preparing for grant applications
• Research training fellowships – choosing the
right one for you
• KEEP TRYING!
PhD Experience
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
“in-vitro” competencies
“in-vivo” expertise
“first-in-human” studies
Phase 1 drug trial management
Human “physiological” studies
High impact publications
Co-administration of PYY & GLP-1 reduces BOLD signal
change in brain food reward regions
2011; 14(5): 700-6
PhD years
• Learning to become a scientist
• Finding a mentor
• Developing research skills
– Statistics, time management, grant writing
– Specific to your chosen specialty
• Keeping abreast of clinical developments
– Maintaining practical proficiencies
• Attending meetings and presenting your own
data
• Publications
ACF
PhD
(OOPE)
NIHR CL
• 2006-2007 Watford General Hospital
• 2007-2008 Northwick Park Hospital
• PILOT DATA
• MRC CRTF October 2008
• PhD Sept 2012
• 50/50 lab/clinical: CCT 2016
• Starter grants
• External experience
Clinical Lecturer Years
• CCST – clinical competencies, NHS service provision
• Applying for Postdoctoral Funding
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Smaller project grants (starter grants)
Building up publication record
Consolidating research skills
Finding your niche and networking
Developing collaborations
Moving labs?
Management and committee experience
Teaching qualifications
• Aiming to become a CLINICIAN SCIENTIST
The Pyramid gets steeper……
The Department of Medicine Scissors
Diagram
WHAT I’VE GAINED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
“in-vitro” competencies
“in-vivo” expertise
“first-in-human” studies
Phase 1 drug trial management
Human “physiological” studies
High impact publications
Three children…..
Kids, ATHENA
A Day in the Life…….
• 0600 – 3 kids wake up, breakfast, washed and
dressed
• MEDICAL REGISTRAR ON CALLS
• LAB: 0800-1730 ……..evening with the kids
• 2030 back to the computer
• GRANT REJECTION
• 0100 bed
• 0330 – “mummy!”
• 7 DAYS A WEEK!!!
Clinician Scientist Fellowship
• Transitioning to
independence
• 5 years funding (post
CCT) to establish career
as a Clinician Scientist
• £900K
Pros and Cons of an Academic Career
• Hugely satisfying –
whatever level you
reach
• 2nd career: Clinician
Scientist
• Cutting edge of your
specialty
• More flexible working
hours
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CCST may be delayed
Less certainty
Highly competitive
Less money
The Keys to Success?
1. PASSION
2. RESILIENCE
3. TIME MANAGEMENT
4. DEVELOP ACADEMIC SKILLS