Staff Spotlight on Sue Wonnacott, Professor of Neuroscience, Dept of Biology and Biochemistry

How long have you worked at the Uni? What does your role involve?

I’ve been here for 40 years. I am Professor of Neuroscience; I teach, I serve on a number of committees at Department, Faculty and University level, I’m a member of some external grant panels and I maintain some research activity, mostly through collaborations (as I now work 3 days a week), and I am a second supervisor for a couple of PhD students in Pharmacology. My research has been on the mechanisms and physiological roles of nicotinic receptors, in health and disease, and especially in relation to addiction. So I still have some interesting research ticking along, including a productive collaboration in Bristol. A nice mix of things.

What has been your biggest achievement in your 40 years at the University?

It’s difficult to say, but a big achievement for me was becoming a professor. I am the first and only member of my family to go to university, so to have risen through the ranks, as it were, is something I never would have imagined at age 18.

I’ll spare you the research acheivements, they are too esoteric, but something that gives me enormous pleasure is the success of students. I teach neuroscience to undergraduates, and having a few each year who are inspired by that subject and go on to careers in the field, and who keep in touch is very rewarding. Of course there are the PhD students, I’ve had more than 30 over the years, and I know where most of them are, and some of them have become my good friends. That’s a pleasure as well.

You are the Chair of the selection committee for the Staff Recognition Awards, why would you say it is important for people to nominate their colleagues for these awards?

Awards for anybody are important, they show recognition and appreciation, and make life worthwhile. These staff awards are for people who may be more eclipsed in a university setting, where the focus is more on academia and academic achievements. These achievements are not possible without all the work that goes on, often behind the scenes, by administrators, support staff, technicians, cleaners, security and sports people… Recognising their contributions is enormously important. And having the nominations come through from their peers or the local groups they work with puts it on a more personal level. We have a lot of nominations and it’s a competitive process, it’s not easy to be selected so it is worth a lot to receive an award.

What piece of advice would you like to give to a new student?

I guess I would tell them that they are embarking on a great step change in their life: for the first time (presuming they are not a mature student) loosening the ties that have been there throughout their life so far, as they become independent. They are embarking on an adventure that is full of learning but also fun, so they need to get that balance right. Relish the learning. It doesn’t come easy, it’s not a passive process, they get out as much as they put in, so make the most of it is what I would say.

Who was your most influential teacher/educator, and why?

My most influential teacher was my English teacher. Which seems an odd choice because I did Physics, Chemistry, Maths and some Biology at A-level. So not English, but I did General Studies with a bit of Drama with my English teacher. She was an Irish lady, I am still in touch with her, she lives in Galway, she is in her 80s and she was so inspiring. She was a bit of a rebel in her day, it was probably a bit un-PC in the ways she taught us, but she taught me to enjoy literature, to read plays, to go to the theatre, to appreciate foreign cinema and just broaden my mind. I am a great believer that one should have a broad interest in things, and not be a scientist OR an artsy person. Both sides should appreciate the other for an enriched life.

My second most influential teacher is a Pilates teacher who I took up with after I was told I would need a hip replacement. I went to his Pilates classes for 10 years until he moved on. He was a proper teacher too, whose passion inspired one in the subject. It’s inspiration I look for in my teachers, I think.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Boring answer – I think I always said “I want to be a scientist” from about the age of 10. I don’t know that I knew what it was but I didn’t have any fantasies about being a ballet dancer or anything like that.

What was your first job?

When I was at school my father was a sub-Postmaster in a small town in Cornwall, so it was a biggish post office. I used to do his holiday relief behind the counter from age 16 onwards, right through university as well, during summer holidays and Christmas. The Christmas relief was really exciting as we had lots of boys that came in as relief postmen! That was my first paid job, and I got paid something like £6 a week.

My first proper job as a scientist would be my first postdoc, which was at the Institute of Psychiatry in London.

Where is your favourite holiday destination and why?

That’s a tough one. My last holiday destination was pretty favourable, I went to Sicily at Christmas, and that ticked lots of boxes. The weather was lovely, and it had lots of history – I am interested in European history. We stayed by the sea and I love the sea, so that was good. I might go back to Sicily next Christmas. But who knows, the world is a big place full of fantastic holiday destinations.

What’s your favourite book or album and why?

How can you have a favourite book when there is so many out there? So there’s lots of favourites. I have just read The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal, which was amazing.