WCAT Testamonials
Hear what current WCAT’s have to say about it:
Dr Ronak Ved, Neurosurgery
"I am a Neurosurgical trainee on the WCAT programme, and I am just starting my PhD, which is a laboratory-based project in the field of traumatic brain injury. My protected research time, which the WCAT scheme ensured I received, allowed me to complete the experiments I needed to generate pilot data in my early years as a trainee. This pilot data was essential, not only to learn new academic skills, but also to apply for competitive clinical research fellowships, one of which is now funding my PhD programme. The WCAT scheme will undoubtedly help me to evolve in my career goal to develop into a clinical academic Neurosurgeon with a research interest in neurotrauma. The protected time, training, and academic support that WCAT provides to clinicians with research interests is unmatched in this region. Clinicians from any field who are interested in combining their clinical training with research training should strongly consider investigating the WCAT programme; it would allow them to maximise their competitiveness against pure science graduates in the research field, whilst also protecting their training and development as a clinician."
Dr Joanne Doherty, Psychiatry
The WCAT Programme is ideally suited to those interested in a clinical academic career. It provides run-though training, including three years out of programme in which to complete a PhD. This was one of the biggest attractions for me, providing more time to develop both clinical and research skills than many other training schemes.
I completed my PhD in 2019 and plan on pursuing a career in Academic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The WCAT programme provided me with support to obtain a competitive, externally funded PhD fellowship. This, together with the training, mentorship and guidance I have received during my time in the programme, will put me in an excellent position to achieve my career ambitions. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in Academic Medicine to apply to the WCAT programme.
Dr Bnar Talabani, Renal Medicine
Being a WCAT trainee in Wales provides excellent opportunities to pursue a career as a clinical academic. This prestigious programme provides unparalleled mentorship and access to world leading research facilities with protected research time, to be able to succeed in an academic field. I joined the Programme in 2018 and will be completing my PhD in 2023, following which I will use the protected research time to publish my work and apply for the next stage of academic funding. As WCAT trainees, we are well protected both in the research setting as well as the clinical setting to achieve our goals and remain competitive for future funding and training opportunities.
Dr Lowri Allen, Endocrinology & Diabetes Mellitus
Becoming part of a research community - being able to share research ideas and experiences with people from different backgrounds with different interests. This has helped me develop my ideas and also find opportunities I never knew were possible. Through WCAT I have secured funding and collaborative opportunities that have set me up really well for a PhD that is far more exciting and promising than what I had planned before I started on the programme.
I hope to apply for a fellowship following my PhD so that I can continue to pursue a career in academic medicine. Ultimately I hope to be in a position where I can combine clinical work with an academic career pursuing my interest in identifying individuals at high risk of type 1 diabetes and seeking interventions aimed at preventing type 1 diabetes in these individuals.
WCAT has allowed me to develop my PhD proposal in a way that maximises opportunities to develop my knowledge, seek new research skills and build collaborations across the university and beyond, so that I will be in a strong position to apply for a fellowship in the post doc period. My experience as a WCAT fellow has increased my determination to pursue a career in academia, and the strong mentorship opportunities within the program have helped me develop a clear career development plan.
What would you say to something currently thinking about applying to the programme? Apply! It's too good an opportunity to miss. WCAT offers the perfect balance of flexibility to pursue your own personal research interests and structure to ensure that you come out of the program with the tools you need to be a successful academic.