Vincent Simpson
Current Position: Academic Clinical Fellow
Research Field: Diagnosis of diabetes type using routine clinical features
Why did you decide to undertake clinical academic training and what pathway have you taken so far?
I have been interested in research since I was in medical school as I always had a lot of questions that did not always have a satisfactory answer. I did an intercalated BSc in neuroscience as well as research projects during university. After university I focused on my clinical work, but still continued to undertake small projects and then when I became a registrar I was lucky enough to be accepted onto the ACF programme. Since then I have worked closely with the Exeter diabetes team, presenting my research both nationally and internationally.
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 a centre of excellence for diabetes research and has had significant impact on patient care. I was keen to undertake research that had a practical application for patient care and Exeter was able to give me that opportunity. The guidance I have received from my supervisors has taken me from a novice researcher to now applying for PhD’s. They have helped me to present my work at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference to hundreds of people and supported me with my PhD application. I am very lucky to be working with the Exeter diabetes team under Professor Hattersley.
What challenges have you faced during your clinical academic training and how have you overcome these?
My ACF has not been easy, often requiring me to balance home, clinical and research. Thankfully I have a very supportive partner, as well as clinical and research teams.
What impact has clinical academic training had on your career and what are your next steps?
Academic training has given me data analysis and analytic skills, as well as expertise in diagnosis of diabetes type that I would not have got with clinical training alone. It means that when I see a patient in clinic I have a wealth of research knowledge to draw on to help support them. I hope that I will be able to successfully apply for PhD and continue my journey.
What advice would you give to an aspiring clinical academic?
Talk to researchers and academics in your field of interest and get involved. It wont be ground breaking work to begin with, but you’ll learn valuable skills along the way. Even better yet find yourself a mentor that can help guide you as the path is rarely straightforward.
