A passion for retinal degenerative diseases

What is your professional passion?

Retinal degenerative diseases including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

If you could change one thing about the way we work, what would it be?

I would like to see more longer-term posts for post-docs. Academia is not for the faint-hearted and it’s such a struggle as a post-doc to get job security.

What are you most proud of?

Being been part of research that is heading into clinical trials.

I would like to see more longer-term posts for post-docs. Academia is not for the faint-hearted and it’s such a struggle as a post-doc to get job security

How do you manage a work/life balance?

I try to organise my time efficiently and, other than that, I don’t worry about it. My job doesn’t really feel like ‘work’ to me, so I don’t feel burdened with trying to fit everything in. Sometimes I am more work-focused; at other times my brain is switched off completely from work and I am lost in Game of Thrones (although, now the show has finished, I’ll get back to work).

What do you do to unwind?

I go to the gym (but it has to be early in the morning), and drink wine in the evening in moderation of course. 

You have won the OT lottery. What are the first three things you would do with the £1m jackpot?

If it’s a work-related lottery, I would: 1) hire a fundraiser to leverage the money; 2) employ a post-doc for a few years; and 3) start working my way down my lab equipment wish list.

If it’s a personal lottery win, I would: 1) split the money with my family; 2) buy a Mustang and a fancy chair for my office; and 3) invest the rest.

Where are you going on your next holiday?

Sydney in September 2019. I am heading out to a conference, and after it is finished I will go off and explore for a few days.