CATHERINE WHITLOCK - ABOUT ME

After a first degree in Biological Sciences, I completed a PhD in Immunology at the University of London. My research helped elucidate the immune mechanisms that underlie a rare autoimmune disease of the kidney, Goodpasture’s disease. This was followed by 10 years post-doctoral medical research in Cell Biology and Immunology, unravelling how the cells of the immune system find their targets and how novel therapies might help patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

I have worked in a teaching hospital (Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, University of London), a medical research institute (NIMR, Mill Hill, London), and at King's College and Birkbeck College, University of London. Latterly, I taught Biology and Immunology and was also a meetings consultant for the scientific meetings company EuroSciCon.

During this time, I nurtured my interest in science communication. Ensuring that people, young and old alike, are engaged with science is vital, as science and its applications increasingly enrich and challenge our lives. I have an ongoing research interest in evaluating the power of science communication initiatives, such as Café Scientifique. After gaining a Diploma in Science Communication (Birkbeck College, University of London), I now work as a freelance writer, based in Kent, UK.

Writing about science has proved to be just as exciting and challenging as actually doing it. A scientific training has allowed me to concentrate on how best to present science in a range of contexts. My writing reflects my diverse abilities in the fields of biological sciences, health and medicine.