The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Kerry's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

About Kerry

Roles and Responsibilities:
Associate Professor Medical Education and Medical Sciences; Enquiry Based Learning Lead, Peninsula Medical School; Programme Co-Lead 6-Year BMBS with Foundation Y0; Associate Lead for Widening Participation in Medicine; Culture; Equality and Diversity Committee Member; Learning Skills Tutor; Member of Senate and University Teaching Learning and Quality Committee.

Biography:
I was born and brought up in Leeds, West Yorkshire and my interest in medicine was first fired when, as a college student in Leeds, I found myself on work experience in the Medical School in the Worsley building, where I ended up teaching a medic how to do a radioimmunoassay, he related some of his medical experiences and in return I helped him with the science.

I studied Biochemistry at the University of Wales Aberystwyth and then continued my studies to complete an MSc in Cell and Molecular Genetics. My first research job was as a Research Assistant at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station (IGER) in Aberystwyth investigating the potential consequences of transgenic pollen flow in ryegrasses. Having developed a feel for research, I decided to further my education and went to Bristol University to study natural dye production in plants, a semi-industrial project looking at how plants could be manipulated, agronomically and biochemically, to maximise dye production, to improve their economic viability as an alternative to synthetic dyes. I was awarded a PhD for my thesis on the Production of Indigo from woad in 1997 and was awarded major funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and the European Union to continue the work as a Research Fellow, over a period of 10 years. My work on dye plants led to my involvement in several interesting projects including: setting up a Soil Association standard for the production of organic textiles and advising the Eden Project on their exhibit of dye plants and dyeing in the first years of its existence (the plants are still there!).

Following my research career, I took a short break from science to guide my children through their formative years. As time went on I began to yearn for a professional life and decided to train as a Breast Feeding Peer Supporter for Plymouth Sure Start. This role took me into the Maternity Unit at Derriford Hospital to talk to new mums; to health clinics to lead sessions for antenatal classes, as well as to a committee to establish a breast feeding friendly mark for Plymouth. This reignited my passion for a life in science and education and I consequently applied for the post of Life Science Resource Centre Manager at PCMD, which I started in 2007. As I developed in this role, I worked towards developing my passion for teaching and started to get involved in the discussions about developing the curriculum to improve student experience and produce excellent medics for Tomorrow’s Doctors. I have led a project to assess the value of feedback given by students to their peers; how to maximise e-learning in a medical education and I am currently involved in a project to evaluate the use of 3D imaging in anatomy teaching.

I developed a keen enthusiasm for small-group learning and in particular problem-based learning (PBL), becoming a lead PBL facilitator and latterly the School Lead for both Problem and Inquiry-Based Learning – subtle adaptations of the enquiry driven learning that underpins the independent and integrated learning that must be developed by students – the doctors of tomorrow. We have just completed the re-working the PBL curriculum in medicine and renamed it Enquiry Based Learning (EBL), which better reflects the approach and better serves the evolving needs of our medical students in a technologically and information-rich world.

Other Interests:
My interests and hobbies include cycling, reading (fact and fiction), walking.

Teaching

Biochemistry, Physiology, Molecular/Cell Biology, Small group learning, Module Lead: FY0 Learning Skills for Medicine

Contact Kerry

( C414, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 586771
kerry.gilbert@plymouth.ac.uk

t l