Dr Joseph Westaby, BSc, MSc, DIC, BM BS, PhD, CHAT, FRCPath, RCPathME
NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Cardiovascular Pathology at St George's, University of London
Histopathology Specialty Registrar and Autopsy Practitioner
Dr Joseph Westaby.
In 2022, Dr Westaby was awarded the NIHR Clinical Lectureship in Cardiovascular at St George’s, University of London. Dr Westaby is a former NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) at St George’s. Following his ACF, he was awarded a Clinical Research Fellowship at St George’s, during which he completed a PhD in Structure and ventricular composition including innervation of the normal heart and changes in cardiomyopathy. He is completing his clinical training as a histopathologist within the South London Deanery. He is also an autopsy practitioner.
What attracted you towards the NIHR Clinical Lectureship in Cardiovascular Pathology at St George’s?
Having done an ACF and PhD based with Professor Mary N Sheppard, I was keen to continue and progress in my role within the highly specialised Cardiac Risk in the Young Cardiovascular Pathology Laboratories which are based in St George’s, University of London. The St George’s NIHR Clinical Lectureship gives me the ideal opportunity to continue to pursue and develop my research towards independence whilst completing my histopathology training. My research is based within the field of sudden cardiac death which ties in well with my wish to specialise into cardiovascular pathology. Cardiovascular pathology involves the analysis of specimens from the heart and vessels of the body. In sudden cardiac death, genetic conditions can be causative and it is important the heart is examined in detail both in whole and also down the microscope.
How would you describe your overall experience of St George’s?
My experience at St George’s has been great. My ACF enabled me to spend dedicated time in research whilst continuing to train. This convinced me to progress to the PhD where St George’s, University of London have helped me to progress to completion in 3 years. There have been specific clinical research skills lectures and workshops organised by Integrated Academic Training team coupled with sessions run for all PhD students which has assisted in developing me as a researcher. Furthermore, there are yearly workshops assisting with paper writing and thesis writing that have been invaluable in my progression. My attachment within the Cardiac Risk in the Young Cardiovascular Pathology Laboratories and with Professor Sheppard has allowed me to develop into an expert cardiovascular pathology with a specific interest in sudden cardiac death. This has enabled to form numerous collaborations within the university, the country and the globe! I have learnt numerous histological techniques as well as molecular biology techniques during my PhD. I would highly recommend St George’s and look forward to many fruitful years as I progress through my clinical lectureship and beyond.