Dr Sally Appleyard is a specialty registrar in clinical oncology at Sussex County Hospital and has taken time out of training to do an MD.
How did you become involved in academic research and why?
I am currently doing an MD out of programme. I became involved in research because I wanted to spend time exploring something I was interested in and because it opens doors for future career progression.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The different approach to clinical care and that it refreshes my outlook which can become jaded after 100% reactive clinical work.
What advice would you give to women considering a career in academic research?
Not to be fobbed off by people who are not keen on someone working part time and to make the case for the values that you bring to a role and not to be cajoled into working full time when it is not right for you or your family - there will be a project that works part time.
Is there a woman you look up to or is inspirational in academic research? And if so why?
There is not one person whom I have been inspired by but I am grateful to those women who have gone before me and demonstrated that you can carry our of programme research less than full time.
Read more interviews with inspiring women working in clinical radiology and oncology