Career profile: Chioma Izzyengbaeya, Director of the Pharmacology Intercalated BSc and Consultant Endocrinologist
What is your job?
I have several roles in different (but linked) organisations. I am a Clinical Academic, which means that I am a medical doctor who conducts research. In my research, I investigate how hormones affect different systems in the body and investigate different ways of managing health conditions associated with obesity. My research is funded by money from a specific fund called an NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Award and I do this work at Imperial College London.
As the Director of the Pharmacology Intercalated BSc, I oversee the science degree that medical students undertake in the fourth year of their course in Imperial College School of Medicine. This degree gives them a deeper understanding of how medicines work in our bodies, and they also undertake a research project during this degree.
In my role as a Consultant Endocrinologist in Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, I am a (senior) doctor who has completed my training in Endocrinology. I review people with obesity and related conditions and work with them (and other healthcare professionals) to lower their weight and improve their health.
How did you become a Clinical Academic?
I undertook an Intercalated BSc in Endocrinology while I was in medical school, and I was awarded a 1st class for my performance in this BSc. I studied Endocrinology in more detail during the BSc and it influenced my decision to choose Endocrinology as the specialty I would train in as a medical doctor. I completed medical school and graduated with a Distinction. After graduation, I worked in a variety of jobs, and then proceeded to specialty training in Diabetes and Endocrinology (with General Medicine). Halfway through my training, I had the opportunity to be involved with research studies and I discovered I enjoyed research. I applied to join the clinical academic training pathway funded by the NIHR (i.e. the research arm of the NHS), which gave me time to undertake research whilst continuing with my training as a doctor. After that, I successfully applied for funding from the Medical Research Council, which enable me to undertake a PhD (a research degree) investigating hormones released by the brain that control reproduction and metabolic processes like appetite and body weight.
After completing my PhD, I continued my clinical training part-time and continued my research as well. In 2019, I completed my clinical training, and started working as a Consultant Endocrinologist. In 2019, I also obtained funding from the NIHR and Imperial College to continue my research. I have been involved in teaching and assessing medical students for many years, and in 2023 I undertook formal training in teaching and was awarded a PGCert in University Teaching and Learning from Imperial College. Subsequently, I was appointed as the Director of the Pharmacology Intercalated BSc. In 2024, I secured additional funding from the NIHR, and this will enable me to continue my research.
What do you do day-to-day?
From Monday to Wednesday, I focus on my research and Pharmacology BSc work. I write applications for further funding, write scientific articles, review the progress of ongoing research studies, plan new research studies and read information that has been published in my areas of interest. For the Pharmacology BSc, myself and members of the BSc team, design, plan and deliver enrichment, learning and assessment activities, assess students’ written work and presentations, provide feedback to students and address issues that may arise. On Thursdays and Fridays, I review patients in clinic, complete administrative tasks related to patient care, contribute to multi-disciplinary team meetings (with physicians, surgeons, specialist nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists), teach and supervise medical students and resident doctors (i.e. doctors in training), and oversee audits that look at different aspects of the care we have provided.
What qualifications and skills do you need for your job?
To become a Consultant Endocrinologist, you need to complete the following: medical school, foundation training, Stage 1 internal medicine training and Stage 2 internal medicine training and pass several exams.
To become a Clinical Academic, a 1st class or Upper 2nd class science or biomedical degree is beneficial, you need to complete medical school, you need to complete a postgraduate research degree and obtain funding to conduct the research you are interested in within a suitable organisation.
All of my roles require excellent written and verbal communication skills, empathy, organisation and the ability to prioritize effectively. The ability to obtain relevant information from reputable sources to help guide decisions that are made, as well as very good team-working and leadership skills are essential.
Why did you want to become a Clinical Academic?
I wanted to be a medical doctor, but I also enjoy research and teaching. My different roles enable me to do all the things I enjoy, whilst working flexibly as I can work from home several days a week.
What do you love about your job?
I love the variety and the potential to make a beneficial impact in people’s lives in different ways!
What do you find difficult about your job?
Unfortunately, limited resources mean that I am not always able to do my work.
What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a Clinical Academic?
Choose something that you truly enjoy. Work hard, learn from people who are doing the kinds of jobs you are interested in, make the most of the opportunities you are presented with and be persistent as there will be bumps along the way.
How might your job change in the future?
The content of the Pharmacology BSc will continue to change as technology and medical knowledge advances. The number and variety of medicines available for weight management continue to increase and the way healthcare is accessed and delivered is changing. In addition, there are so many opportunities available to clinical academics, so I may take on other roles in the future and relinquish some of my current roles.
Where can I find out more?
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/studying-medicine/becoming-a-doctor/medical-training-pathway
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/
https://www.thefederation.uk/training/specialties
https://www.catch.ac.uk/
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/academy-programmes/integrated-academic-training.htm
https://www.endocrinology.org/careers/
