Dr Alan Salama
Clinician Scientist, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Physician
Renal Section, Division of Medicine
Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital
London, United Kingdom
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Dr Alan Salama |
Dr Goldsmith: Why did you go into medicine?
Dr Salama: I loved biology. Originally I
wanted to be a marine biologist, diving with dolphins, but I realised that
the courses available meant I would have to look at plankton in still water
ponds... then it dawned on me I would get a bigger pleasure of talking with
patients. I am pleased to say I made the right choice.
Dr Goldsmith: Why nephrology?
Dr Salama: Without a doubt the most interesting medical specialty, so much variety and never a dull moment. I also love the way science and clinical merge, more so than in many other internal medicine disciplines.
Dr Goldsmith: What area interests you most in your research
career?
Dr Salama: I am interested in why our immune systems go wrong and produce renal disease... why some people and not others, why some relapse and not others and most importantly how we can re-set the problem.
Dr Goldsmith: Do you think it is possible, or wise, to
try to combine an academic with a clinical career?
Dr Salama: Not wise, maybe not possible but definitely worth trying.
Dr Goldsmith: How can we best promote "Academic Medicine"?
Dr Salama: When I was in medical school being a clinician-scientist was what we all aspired too, these people were the best at taking science to and from the patients. Although there is so much more basic science now, there is a real need to understand the basis of our patients condition, and improve their management. I think academic medics are in the best position to promote these changes. We do need better schemes for trainees to facilitate this and we should not be penalising them financially for picking an academic career (as is happening now with consultant contracts in the UK), otherwise we will fail to get more people coming through.
Dr Goldsmith: How would you persuade a junior doctor to
embark upon Nephrology as a career (or would you)?
Dr Salama: Definitely yes. I am always happy when a junior member of the team decides to make a career in Nephrology. I would say that it has a bit of something for everyone. Much better than looking at rashes!
Dr Goldsmith: Explain to us how the Department of Health
Clinical Scientist scheme works.
Dr Salama: It provides a 5 year grant for myself and a technician, to do some "translational resarch". I combine clinical work with research, and although it's schizophrenic it's very rewarding.
Dr Goldsmith: What piece of research, or publication, are
you proudest of?
Dr Salama: My work on regulation in autoimmune Goodpasture's disease, which started me off...
Dr Goldsmith: How do you relax in your time away from your
work?
Dr Salama: Sport, football, squash and runnning... I did my first marathon this year which was great fun. Then the usual, theatre (one advantage of being in London), cinema and eating out.
Dr Goldsmith: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time
from now?
