Faces of Reading

I completed my PhD in 2009 and am continuing my snakebite/venom research, as well as researching cardiovascular diseases.

We're currently developing a diagnostic tool and improved therapeutic strategies for snakebites because they are causing lots of problems in developing countries like India. Antivenoms are sometimes administered even if it's not a venomous snakebite, which can be dangerous.

In addition to teaching pharmacology, I teach about snake venoms and bites in an optional module for biological sciences students, which I'm really pleased about. In 2016, I won the Reading University Students' Union (RUSU) Research Inspired Teaching Excellence Award, and in 2022 won the RUSU Teaching Excellence Award for Life Sciences – both via student nominations.

In addition to research in labs, I (together with numerous collaborators) am also involved in improving public awareness about snakes and snakebites in rural areas, and developing new policies to improve snakebite management in India. Over the last few years, we have engaged with over seven million people via multifaceted approaches using traditional and social media, as well as direct outreach activities in schools, colleges and rural villages. We also proved that our campaign has been successful in reducing snakebite-induced deaths, disabilities and socioeconomic burden in selected regions by improving the treatment-seeking behaviour of rural communities. For this work, I received the University's prestigious, Research Engagement and Impact Award in 2018. I am delighted that we are making real changes in snakebite management on the ground, and this was the primary reason why I came to Reading originally.

As well as supporting lots of students here, I also support some in India. I run a small charity to provide financial support for students who finish school but can't afford to go to university. I'm also the Warden at Mackinder Hall and I'm enjoying it. The University of Reading is my home; I will continue to work hard to achieve my goals here while supporting the growth of the University.

I work full time, but I work from home 4 days a week. Managers are very good at giving us that flexibility.

I have Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and people have been very supportive without being patronising. Part of the reason for working from home is to help manage my fatigue. I live in Reading, I came here when I was 18 as a student and have more or less stayed here ever since. I had been commuting to Oxford – I was at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust before – which was getting a bit too tiring. It's better now I'm working a lot closer to home.

The team from Estates and Facilities also came in and created a kind of frame by my desk so I can get up easily, which has been really helpful. Everyone in the office will help out if I need anything too; it's been a positive experience.

Not long after I joined the University, my personal circumstances changed, and I needed full time work. Fortunately, I was able to increase my hours with an additional role in another School and was later made full time in my main role. Being able to increase my hours when I needed reduced a lot of stress for me at a difficult time in my life. 

I moved over to the Walker Institute in 2016 as a permanent Executive Administration Officer. The work I am currently supporting is helping us to address some of the fundamental challenges society is facing such as migration, food and water security, biodiversity loss, extreme weather, and disasters. 

Coming from a working class, ethnic community, I was unsure how I would fit into the world of higher education and academics, but I have enjoyed all my roles at the University and have found colleagues to be friendly and supportive. I would recommend the University as a place to work because it is like a little town within a town, full of people that you can connect with, people who are similar, and also, people who are different and that makes life interesting! Being able to walk to work through the woods every morning is also a bonus for me. 

I came here with lovely childhood memories of the campus, but now I have great new memories, of achievements, wonderful colleagues, picnics in the Harris gardens and all the interesting work, both local and international, that is carried out. 

In 2019 my colleagues in the Vice-Chancellor’s team nominated me to attend the Royal Garden Party for my voluntary work in the community and I had a lovely, sunny day there with my new husband. In August this year, it will be ten years since I started my part-time, temporary role, and I am happy to say, I am still part of this unique community.

The thing I enjoy most about Reading is the School I work in, both the staff and the students. Everyone is supportive and friendly and will stop to have a chat. We do our work but we also do have time to catch-up as well. Because I’m the Programmes Director, I also get involved with the Reading University Construction Society (RUCS), as well as the University's Ghana Student Society.

I’ve been given the opportunity to grow in what I do, and I think Reading gives everyone that opportunity – you just have to be yourself, and take it. Regardless of where you come from, grasp the opportunity and go with it.