Ian Symonds

Biography

I have extensive experience in the design and funding of research project protocols including ethical committee approval, Health and Safety regulations, animal experiment regulations and regulations for the use of radioactive substances. As a Research Fellow funded by the Cancer Research Campaign in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Nottingham University I developed an anti-mucin monoclonal antibody for use in the management of gynaecological cancer and set up a phase I clinical imaging study in patients with ovarian cancer. Results of this work were submitted for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. With Professor Arulkumaran I established the academic department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Derby in 1998. During its first 3 years the Department obtained external grant funding of more than ¿1.3 million. In 2004 I took up the post of Head of Discipline and Professor of Reproductive Medicine in Newcastle. Although I am continuing to publish results of work carried out in the UK I have concentrated on buidling new reseach collaborations in Australia which would not have been sufficiently advanced to produced publications by the end of 2006. These include ongoing projects in immunity to sexually transmitted infections, genetics of endometrial cancer, psychosocial effects of maternal ageing and medical student selection. This has been achieved while also having been heavily involved in the undergraduate and postrgraduate education.

Research Interest

Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Sciences , Public Health and Health Services