Dr Keith Gillis
Whilst developing an interest in nephrology during core medical training, I became inspired by the existing renal trainees who were producing world leading research into the cardiovascular consequences of kidney disease.
As such, I was delighted to successfully apply for a clinical research fellow position early in my clinical specialty training, working with Professors Mark and Delles.
I completed the fellowship in 2015 and graduated with a doctoral thesis the year after.
My PhD and research interests relate to the development of novel imaging biomarkers in chronic kidney disease, as well as the role of oxidative stress in mediating cardiovascular disease in renal impairment.
I was extremely gratified at the range of new skills and experiences that accompanied clinical research and was pleased to publish several first author papers relating to the work described in my thesis.
Upon re-entering specialty training as a full-time clinical trainee, I felt frustration at the lack of time and resources available to continue my research. I therefore accepted a clinical lecturer position at the University of Glasgow within the Scottish Research Excellence Development Scheme.
The timing of my appointment coincided with a burgeoning national interest in the development of renal imaging biomarkers, and the focus of my lectureship was to continue the renal imaging research that I had established, in partnership with a network of national collaborative groups.
Conducting clinical research within the schedule of a lectureship has its challenges, however these challenges help to foster skills which are essential for a career as a consultant and clinician scientist, such as team working, leadership, and organisation.
My SCREDS clinical lectureship has allowed me to continue research which I find truly fascinating and exciting. I hope this leads to the development of renal MRI as a biomarker for use in clinical practice and trials of novel therapeutics in the future.
Furthermore, it has provided me the time and resources to develop the skills and research portfolio to apply to an intermediate fellowship in the future to continue my research career.
Dr Keith Gillis MBChB PhD - Clinical lecturer and specialty registrar in renal and general internal medicine