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Staff Spotlight - Dr Laurence Lovat

Laurence Lovat

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This month, the spotlight is on Dr Laurence Lovat, Head of the Research Department of Tissue and Energy and Reader in Gastroenterology and Laser Medicine.

What was your first job?

Plumbers assistant.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Lord Sacks, the emeritus Chief Rabbi.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

'Go for it'.

Which languages can you speak fluently?

Hebrew and English, obviously!

Who do you admire as a leader?

Nelson Mandela.

What is your favourite movie of all time?

Finding Nemo.

What is your favourite travel destination and why?

Bournemouth. Sun, sea and sand and no airports!

If you were given £1m what would you spend it on? 

I would ask my wife….

Favourite book?

Lord of the Flies.

Which working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Creating a patient database for my PhD when databases were brand new. We achieved papers in the Lancet, Gastroenterology and Gut from data we collected. It also led to a whole series of spin-offs which have led to multiple clinical papers over the years.

If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?

Alexander the Great. He conquered half the world in around 10 years. And people loved him. How do you do that?

Favourite quote/saying?

If I am not for myself, who is for me.  And if I am only for myself, what am I and if not now, when? (Hillel, 2nd century sage).

Work/Life. Balanced?

Sure, with lots of extra weight added to the life side of the scales.

What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Determined.

What one word would your friends use to describe you?

Bossy.

What would be on the menu for your last supper?

Something light. I wouldn't want to meet God feeling sick. 

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Helping others!

Favourite music/musician?

Peter, Paul and Mary – Remember Puff the Magic Dragon?

What will you never do?

Give up hope.

If you could be Prime Minister for a day and could implement one policy, what would it be?

No-one would elect me :-( (well, if you want to, visit my website www.lovatforprimeminister.com).

Quick links

  • Burns, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery MSc
  • Evidence-Based Healthcare MSc
  • Musculoskeletal Science MSc
  • Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine MSc
  • Performing Arts Medicine MSc
  • Perioperative Medicine MSc
  • Sports Medicine, Exercise & Health MSc
  • Surgical & Interventional Sciences MSc
  • Trauma & Orthopaedics MSc
  • Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive technologies MSc
  • Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation MSc
  • Pain Management MSc
  • Masters of Advanced Minimally-Invasive Surgery

  • Professional Doctorate in Orthopaedics
  • MD(Res)
  • MPhil/PhD

  • Medical Sciences and Engineering BSc/MSci
  • Sports and Exercise Medical Sciences BSc
  • Medical Innovation and Enterprise BSc/MSci

  • Orthopaedic Science
  • Surgical Sciences
  • Sports Medicine Exercise and Health

  • Introduction to Systematic Reviews
  • Perioperative Fluid Therapy

Examples of previously delivered CPD courses

22 November 2017 

BSc Medical Innovation and Enterprise Open Evening

6 December 2017 

UCL Graduate Open Day

12 December 2017 

BSc Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences Open Evening


24 January 2018

MSc Sports Medicine and Performing Arts Medicine Open Evening

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Current students

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We had a chat to some of our students at our summer student event. Hear what they had to say about what it's like being part of the Division.

Highlights in Medical Sciences

UCL Cancer Institute awarded Athena SWAN Gold
Athena Swan Gold Award

Award

UCL Cancer Institute awarded Athena SWAN Gold

The UCL Cancer Institute has been awarded Athena SWAN Gold in recognition of its sustained commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education and research.

20 May 2025

New Dean of Medical Sciences appointed
Professor Emma Morris

Announcement

New Dean of Medical Sciences appointed

Internationally recognised clinician scientist, Professor Emma Morris, will take up the role of Dean of UCL's Faculty of Medical Sciences in August 2025.

28 February 2025

Lung cancer test better predicts survival in early stages of disease
Cancer Cells Dividing

Research breakthrough

Lung cancer test better predicts survival in early stages of disease

A new test developed by UCL Cancer Institute and the Francis Crick Institute can better predict lung cancer survival at diagnosis.

09 January 2025

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