"The people I met on the course was the best thing about studying Graduate Entry Medicine."
Graduate Entry Medicine alumna, Professor Kirsty Le Doare, joined the St George’s Graduate Entry Medicine programme after studying European Economics and working for Oxfam and McKinsey Consulting. She is now a Professor of Vaccinology and Immunology at St George’s, University of London as well as an Honorary Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Consultant within the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group. She is currently based in Kampala, Uganda working with the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, as well as with MUJHU, a partnership between Makarere University and Johns Hopkins University. We spoke to her about her time on the Graduate Entry Medicine programme, and how it has shaped her career since.
What year did you graduate from St George’s?
2006
Tell us about your current role.
I am a Professor of Vaccinology and Immunology, working on clinical studies to understand how we can boost immunity passed from mother to child in pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.
What are the most rewarding and challenging things about your role?
I get to work with a whole range of health professionals, governments and non-governmental organisation which makes the work really interesting. The most challenging part is keeping projects going in two countries (I am partly based in Uganda).
What was the best thing about studying Graduate Entry Medicine?
The people I met on the course was the best thing about studying Graduate Entry Medicine.
How did the Graduate Entry Medicine programme help prepare you for your current role?
My first research role was through a colleague on the course (Dr. Yolande Knight, now director of public health in Western Australia) who gave me a role on a study at Queen Square in headache research. Without that, I wouldn’t have entered academic clinical training and wouldn’t be in the job today.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying Graduate Entry Medicine?
Give it a go! What’s the worst that can happen?
Do you have any advice or a message for current students of the Graduate Entry Medicine programme at St George’s?
Make the most of the fact that your study is self-directed to find placements and opportunities that you want to try out. It’s a great way to get into research.
On Monday 31 January, Professor Le Doare will deliver her inaugural lecture "Group B Streptococcus – 50 years without a vaccine". In her lecture, she will discuss the development challenges of Group B Streptococcal vaccines, including the need for alternatives to efficacy studies. Visit the link to find out more about the lecture and to register for a place.