Julia Turan, Managing Editor, Physiology News

https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.118.19

Where have you worked?

A mixture of investment banking, major firms such as Lazard and HSBC, and working directly in industry, companies such as Bass and Syngenta. The thread tying these together is a passion for helping clients or ideas grow, combined with a deep interest in science and what we consume.

What did you do?

In banking I principally worked in the Corporate Advisory business, understanding the needs of corporate clients of all sizes and then working with them to either solve a problem or plan a future way forward for the business or, in many cases, both.

The enlightening thing and great learning about working in industry at Bass and Syngenta was being able to not only help form plans but execute them, rather than moving on to the next client as one does in banking. However, there were downsides for my ego as, in my training month at Bass, the brewer, I was throwing barrels of beer off a Bass lorry early morning into a pub cellar in London when one of my old banking colleagues pulled up alongside me in his gleaming new Porsche, and just looked up and smiled!

What is your academic background?

Having studied mainly sciences before university I opted to read law for mainly family reasons. What struck me was the similarity in academic rigour and deep enquiry between the two disciplines; they both required immense hard work and dedication. In purely practical terms my law experience has been of great help in addressing the commercial aspects of innovation and science.

What attracted you to The Physiological Society?

Since my wife has a long-term complex medical condition, and her family included medics, we have been engaged at the sharp end of clinical medicine at leading hospitals for many years. This has taught us that, although there is huge value in the new biology disciplines, an overall understanding of a system remains just as important. Having all, or almost all, of the pieces of a picture puzzle is hugely valuable, but so is fitting them together and seeing the whole picture revealed.

What do you do when you aren’t working?

Apart from occasionally losing a lot of golf balls I also enjoy helping my wife garden, albeit my habit of reclaiming what she calls spent plants and rehoming them does cause friction. I have a passion for plants and nature since I believe there are not many issues not solved in natural ecosystems somewhere on the planet. My other passion is being Warden of what I believe is one of the most beautiful shepherd’s churches in England.

If you were marooned on a desert island what luxury would you take with you?

A mask, snorkel and flippers to enjoy the sea and what lies beneath.