Profile
Ruth McLauchlan
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About Me:
I live with my husband and two teenage sons in Hampshire. I work 3.5 days a week as a medical physicist for a large NHS University teaching hospital in London. I score junior cricket matches in the evenings and at weekends. I love cricket, history, and marshmallows.
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I come from a former mining village in South Yorkshire and, thanks to incredibly supportive parents and teachers, was the first of my family to go to University. I am proud that when at primary school my sons drew me when asked what a scientist looks like. The COVID pandemic put the NHS into many people’s consciousness and my sons tell people with pride that their Mum works for the NHS. They are aware that our workforce consists of more than doctors and nurses and others should be too.
I think it is important for children to know from an early age the variety of opportunities that are out there for you; that you don’t need to decide what you are going to be now but the math’s, English and science you are learning will be of use throughout life. Children are great at asking questions and I think it is important that they are encouraged to do so and continue to do so – I am so effective at my job because I still ask lots of questions! I love finding the answers. My favourite TV shows are QI and Only Connect – its a good week if I manage to answer an Only Connect question!
My Dad was very sporty and played semi-professional football. My earliest memories are of Saturdays watching him play. I lacked sporting ability and would have happily swapped PE for extra maths but I still enjoyed watching a variety of sports. My sons play for our local cricket club and I have found that scoring their matches helps keep me relaxed when they are batting and is a great way to get to know new people. I was a very shy child, I didn’t go on my Year 6 residential trip because I couldn’t bear to be away from home. I’m still shy but hide it quite well (finding a way to be useful like scoring helps) and have travelled widely since leaving to go to University. When I was doing my PhD I had homes in both Scotland and Germany.
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
I’m a clinical scientist (medical physics) and my job is to ensure that patients receive safe and effective radiotherapy treatment for their cancer.
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I am a Consultant Radiotherapy Physicist providing scientific input to the Department of Radiotherapy at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. In addition to supporting the routine clinical treatment of patients, I am a key member in the clinical implementation of new techniques and evaluation of Departmental practices. I am also Visiting Professor in the Department of Physics, Imperial College working on projects utilising physics, engineering to improve treatments for cancer patients.
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My Typical Day:
If I am working at the hospital I am up at 06:30 and on the train into London by 07:20 to be at my desk by 08:45. I spend a lot of time at my desk analysing data and checking patient treatment plans. I leave the office at 16:30 to get the train home, and if there are no delays will be back in the house by 18:00.
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Education:
I went to Wath Comprehensive School near Rotherham in South Yorkshire and stayed on there for sixth form. I was the first in my family to take A’ levels and go to University. I studied Physics at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and then completed a Masters degree in Clinical Physics at the University of Glasgow as part of the NHS scientist training scheme. Seeking a challenge, I left the NHS following my Masters to study for a PhD full-time in Nuclear Structure Physics at the University of Glasgow that required me to spend time at a research facility at the University of Mainz in Germany.
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Qualifications:
10 G.C.S.E (English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, German, English Literature, Religious Studies, General Studies).
4 A’ levels (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, General Studies).
BSc (Hon) Physics with Medical Applications, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
MSc(MedSci) Clinical Physics, University of Glasgow
PhD Nuclear Structure Physics, University of Glasgow
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Work History:
While at school I regularly babysat for a couple of local families and while studying for my A’ levels I tutored 2 girls in GCSE maths.
From University I have either been in full-time education or working as a Medical Physicist in Radiotherapy, developing from a trainee in Glasgow to a state-registered clinical scientist and then Lead physicist working in Leicester, to my current role in London.
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Current Job:
Consultant Radiotherapy Physicist and Head of Research and Development
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Employer:
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals)
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to be a vet but just as well I'm not as I am very allergic to cats!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not really, I was once hauled into the Deputy Headmaster's office accused of dropping litter but he made a mistake.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Cricket scorer, ideally for county and international matches so I can be paid to watch cricket all day
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Probably The Delgados - I went to see them in 2023 and that was my first ever (and so far only) gig!
What's your favourite food?
Marshmallows and chilli (not together!)
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be happy, healthy, and better at sport (my PE report said "Ruth tries hard but lacks co-ordination"!)
Tell us a joke.
I love Tim Vine, my favourite is: So I said to the gym instructor: 'Can you teach me to do the splits?' He said: 'How flexible are you?' I said: I can't make Tuesdays.'
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