Pamela Bowman
Current Position: Academic Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Genetics
Research Field: Monogenic diabetes (neonatal diabetes due to genetic variants in potassium channel genes)
Why did you decide to undertake clinical academic training and what pathway have you taken so far?
To me clinical academic training afforded an opportunity to be at the forefront of cutting-edge science and its clinical translation, and I have been an academic trainee for most of my career. I was an academic F2 doctor with Prof Hattersley’s team in Exeter in 2008/09 then held NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships in Paediatrics (MRCPCH) and Psychiatry (MRCPsych). I was the recipient of the RCPsych Core Psychiatric Trainee of the Year award in 2013 and the Diabetes UK Young Investigator award in 2019, and completed an MSc in genomic medicine in 2019 and a PhD in 2020, supported by a Diabetes UK Sir George Alberti Fellowship. My PhD allowed me to develop expertise in the neurodevelopmental phenotypes, physiology and sulphonylurea treatment response in individuals with neonatal diabetes due to genetic variants in potassium channel genes. During that time I led the development of a national highly specialised clinical service for affected patients, and developed an interest in Clinical Genetics. I was awarded an ACL in Clinical Genetics in 2021, and this is ongoing.
Why did you choose to conduct your clinical training at the University of Exeter and what are some of the highlights?
The University of Exeter is an exciting and dynamic place to be as exemplified by the amazing breadth and quality of research presented at the recent BRC launch event. I have been a clinical academic here for 15 years and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked in an inspiring team with such supportive people, whose research has changed people’s lives for the better. There are so many highlights, including trips to conferences to present research findings, publishing in great journals, meeting families affected by neonatal diabetes and hosting family education events.
What challenges have you faced during your clinical academic training and how have you overcome these?
Raising two children alongside 2 careers as a clinician and an academic all running in parallel has had its challenges. I have found that time management and looking after yourself is important, and knowing how much to take on at any one time. However, equally important is being kind to yourself when you are not getting the balance right and reassessing what needs to change to make things manageable.
What impact has clinical academic training had on your career and what are your next steps?
It has allowed me to develop expertise and skills in an area of great scientific and clinical interest. I love that no two days in my job are the same! My next steps will be taking forward some new studies during the remainder of my lectureship, some of which have been funded by the Exeter NIHR BRC, and developing ideas for future Fellowships / grants.
What advice would you give to an aspiring clinical academic?
Pursue your interests, and make the most of the opportunities brought by a different and unique career trajectory. Be determined and resilient, and finish the projects you start.
