Professor Herbie Newell

Professor Herbie Newell Professor of Cancer Therapeutics, Northern Institute of Cancer Research, Newcastle upon Tyne

What subjects did you enjoy at school?

Science subjects generally.

What qualifications do you have?

Ordinary National Certificate (2 years by day release). This is a technical qualification similar to an A-level.
Higher National Certificate in Applied Biology (2 years by day release).
Membership of the Institute of Biology: 3 years by day release PhD (5 years as a part time student).

What inspired you to get into science?

Enjoying the subject at school and being offered a job in a lab when I left school at 16.

How many jobs have you had?

I’ve had three jobs. I worked as a Research Technician, then as a Research Officer, which became a Post-Doc when I completed my PhD. And then I was a Senior Lecturer before I was promoted to Professor.

What is your position now? Day-to-day, what does this involve?

Professor of Cancer Therapeutics and Director of Scientific Research at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle.

I manage the research and careers of people involved in drug development at the University of Newcastle, and I'm involved in promoting bench-to-bedside research for patient benefit at Cancer Research UK.

How did you become interested in cancer research?

I left school at the age of 16 and went to work as a technician in the Marie Curie Memorial Foundation Research Laboratory.

Have you ever worked abroad?

No.

What are the best and worst things about being a scientist?

Best things

Studying really interest questions of direct relevance to human health and well-being, as part of a team of intelligent and motivated people.

Worse things

Not enough hours in the day, or the funding, to work on everything that looks exciting!

What qualities do you think it takes to be a good scientist?

Good humour, persistence, attention to detail, having a logical approach to problem solving, preparedness to try new things and being a team player.

Do you have any advice for young people who are interested in getting into science or medicine?

It is a FANTASTIC job! What other career combines intellectual and practical challenges, and provides new things to experience and study every day?

In addition, the opportunity to help children, adolescents and adults who have serious illnesses is a real attraction. It may not be the job for those who are primarily motivated by earning lots of money, but the pay and conditions are not that bad.