Reminiscences of my time as PA/Administrator in the MRC Unit for Protein Function and Design, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge:1989-2004

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

I knew immediately when ‘interviewed’ by Prof in March 1989 that this was the position I wanted—despite having been offered a post elsewhere the day before. There followed from 1989 to 2004 15 years (with a brief 2-month interlude because I foolishly thought I wanted ‘a change’) of the most stimulating and challenging job I ever had. One of the main reasons for this was that Prof was very good at letting me get on with things, which of course he expected, but with no ‘interference’. However, if I had a question he would immediately answer it wherever he was in the world and whatever the time zone! I was not aware, until I had been offered the post, that he was the man famous in Cambridge for bringing an enormous amount of money with him in the form of the Herchel Smith Endowment Fund to set up the Centre for Protein Folding/Interdisciplinary Research Centre. Because of his standing in science people from virtually every country in the world applied to work with him. It was a privilege to work with Prof and also with all the bright young people who joined the group while I was there. Prof was (and I am sure, still is) firm but fair. Everyone in the group was treated with the same courtesy and consideration and his enthusiasm and love of science was infectious to all those around him. It is amazing with what speed the years rushed past—fresh faced PhD students became Postdocs. Some remained, some went away—and returned. In the 15 years I was in Chemistry well over 100 students and Postdocs passed through his lab. And, as mentioned above, they were all treated with the same patience and understanding by Prof. It is an indication of his popularity, and the respect with which he was held, very early on when we arranged a surprise party for his 50th birthday—all were eager to attend. When there was a repeat on his 60th birthday many of those who had been in the lab 10 years previously took gigantic steps to come from all corners of the world. I seem to remember that Vic Arcus from New Zealand covered the most miles. Prof’s office was totally different from anyone else’s in Chemistry—his was classy and timeless. No one else had a grandfather clock and a silk carpet on the floor. If anyone in the group needed to talk to him that door was always open. He would often arrive before me in the morning and on hearing me go into my office he would burst out of his and start dictating—often before I had had time to remove my coat. He had obviously been thinking about something and wanted to get it off his chest. If he had walked to work and I saw him walking across the car park I was always ready with my notebook because he often started dictating half way up the stairs! Having been with him for 15 years there are obviously numerous memories—the Opening of the Centre for Protein Engineering by Mrs Thatcher, and conferences which he instigated and I helped to administer. And, as usual, attendees came from every corner of the world. These were particularly interesting as it enabled me to put faces to names. Since my retirement I have stayed in touch via e-mail and have received regular updates and photographs of his adored grandchildren. I am lucky enough now to be able to return the favour with two of my own (albeit in Hong Kong). Thank you Prof for giving me the opportunity to work in PFD/IRC—congratulations on your spectacular past and very best wishes for an even more spectacular future.