Stefanie Lip

Dr Stefanie Lip is a Clinical Research Fellow (Heart Research UK),StR in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics and General Internal Medicine.

What is your career pathway to date (including qualifications)?

I obtained my intercalated BSc (Med Sci) in 2011 and graduated with an MBChB from the University of Glasgow in 2013. I have experience in clinical trials and analysing large data sets, and have organised successful public engagement events.  I also received the MVLS Engagement Award in 2021 for my work in increasing awareness of clinical research amongst the ethnic minorities in Glasgow.  I am currently the co-chair for the Public Patient Involvement Group for a pharmacogenetics trial in Glasgow. I have also been awarded the Rang Prize 2022 for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching for collaborative work done nationally through the NIHR / RCP training package ‘Getting involved in Clinical Research’.

What do you do, and what is a typical week for you?

I am currently a clinical research fellow based at the University of Glasgow, heading into my second year of my PhD studying the vascular effects of SARS-COV-2 infection and its long-term impact on hypertension (funded by Heart Research, UK). In addition to research, I am invested in the education of medical students as the Deputy Lead for the Vertical Clinical Pharmacology Theme.  I also serve as the StR Clinical Pharmacology Trainee Representative for Scotland and the Sub-Committee chair for National Training/Education for the Registrar Sub-Committee at the BPS.  I am currently an expert member for the Research Ethics Committee in West Scotland.
My typical week varies depending on my primary activity – whether working on my research project, teaching medical students, participating actively in hypertension clinical trials, attending Committee meetings, or organising public engagement activities about clinical research and cardiovascular health. I love my clinical duties, working as a medical registrar in acute and general medicine, which provides a refreshing change to my academic commitments. I am a strong advocate for improving prescribing safety locally at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, where I have organised Medicine Safety Month, biannually, to educate all allied health professionals (junior doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and ANPs).
 

What's the most interesting aspect of your job?

The interesting aspect of my job is finding answers to research questions around my specialist subject and increasing awareness of clinical pharmacology as a specialty for junior colleagues.  I love being a clinical pharmacology trainee because of the autonomy and self-directed learning that I have, which is best suited for someone like me who is organised.  This can be stressful and slightly different compared to other registrar jobs, but there is a set of key curriculum skills within clinical pharmacology that I am encouraged to pursue alongside my interests as I develop my own academic portfolio career.
 

What are you research interest?

My research interest is in hypertension, digital health, and pharmacogenetics
 

What one piece of advise would you give to someone seeking a career in clinical pharmacology?

A career in clinical pharmacology is self-directed and support from senior colleagues and supervisors is invaluable.  Ensure that you enjoy what you do!