BSc Zoology, 1982 & PGCE, 1983
Head of Post Graduate Academic Medicine and Head of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Dundee.
Swansea University was my first choice as a university destination. It had a vibrant Zoology department that covered all the subjects that I wanted to study. On my visit I found the faculty very friendly and welcoming. Moreover, the University had a fantastic location just along the sea front. It was the only choice for me. I really enjoyed my time in Swansea. The teaching was excellent and there were several inspiring lecturers. I remember we had tutorials with the Professors where we would sit in small groups of four or five and discuss various topics. That was amazing to have so much contact with the academic staff.
I was a keen rugby player when I arrived, so I had ambitions to play for the University team. I quickly forgot about that ambition when I discovered the standard of the players was so high. I think a few of them went on to be international players. Swimming and surfing in the Gower were better options for me. The social scene was very active which is important if you’re a student. I made some fantastic friendships that have lasted a lifetime. I loved the city and we spent time in Uplands and Mumbles. I remember a nightclub called “Nuts” that had two large plastic crocodiles that would light up. I also remember going to watch a West Wales side play the All Blacks which was a fantastic experience. I enjoyed Swansea so much, so I stayed an extra year to go on to do a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and taught in two of the local schools (Penlan and Dynevor).
In my final year of my Zoology degree I went to a lecture by Roger Elias on the topic of fertility and reproduction and the new science of IVF. It was amazing and really struck a chord with me. Although I had committed to do the PGCE I asked Roger how I could get a career in reproduction. He said I needed to do a PhD but couldn’t do it at Swansea as there was no one to supervise it, so he put me in touch with the University of Birmingham. From there I developed a career in science and teaching which takes me all around the world. I am not sure how I describe my job – teacher, scientist, but whatever label, it is the most satisfying job and I feel truly fortunate.
I’ve spent most of my career in fertility, working on IVF. One of the most rewarding things is to see a couple successfully go though IVF and come out the other side with a healthy baby. I’ve also lectured and given scientific conference talks all over the world. Looking back now, the PGCE has really stood me in good stead. The skills it gave me have been invaluable and throughout my career I have retained a teaching element in everything I have done. I have also been a member of the WHO Male Fertility Expert Group and on the editorial boards for various academic journals. Most recently I have been funded by the Gates Foundation to look at a male contraceptive. Our bodies produce 1,000 sperm every heartbeat. Sperm are simple from a cellular perspective and previous attempts at male contraceptive have focussed on killing the sperm. However, anything that kills sperm will also interfere with other simple cellular processes in the body so it’s not a viable solution. Our work is looking at phenotypes in infertile men and using these to temporarily cause infertility in otherwise fertile men. I’m hopeful we will see in-person trials within the next 5 years.
What advice do you have for someone who was possibly thinking of Swansea as a place to study?
Do it. It’s a fantastic place. Without going to Swansea, I would never have had the opportunities I have had. I started out doing a degree in Zoology and I have ended up in Medicine. The most important thing is to find yourself in a good place, surrounded by good people. Swansea is a very good place with very good people. I am still in touch with a few people from my course to this day.
