Prof Omar Mahroo, our Clinical Academic Trainees Development Lead, opened the session by welcoming, Prof Ted Garway-Heath an Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist and Glaucoma UK Professor of Ophthalmology for Glaucoma and Allied Studies at UCL.
Prof Garway-Heath shared his inspiring career journey in the field of glaucoma, along with some valuable advice. He urged the trainees to aim for large mainstream journals and not to take “no” for an answer. On two occasions, he successfully challenged editorial rejections by making the case for glaucoma, securing a place in the very next issue.
Dr Dun Jack Fu an NIHR Clinical Lecturer, followed with an engaging talk comparing research to dating in that you need to try different subjects. His own path has taken him from a PHD in drug discovery in dermatology to Ophthalmology as the Head of Data Science and AI at Moorfields. Advising that clinical progress is rarely linear, if a project is not working to have the courage to “cut and run”.
Finally, Dr Alessandra Martins, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Academic Training Programme Director, gave her annual RCOphth training curriculum update. The session prompted lively discussion and was followed by a busy networking exchange.
She also signposted some helpful contacts:
NIHR: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/iat-guide
UCL: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/health/sites/health/files/2023_ucl_icat_guide_2.pdf
Contacts UCL
Sarah MacKilligin UCL Clinical IAT Programme Manager: s.mackilligin@ucl.ac.uk
UCL Clinical Academic queries: aco-enquiries@ucl.ac.uk
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