North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2020 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021

News

Archives

Leading cardiologist tells students to take heart from failure

Thursday 1 October 2015

WEB Prof Robin Choudury with former teachers

Cardiologist Professor Robin Choudhury DM, FRCP, FESC delivered a fascinating insight into the origins of modern day cardiology and the sometimes rocky road he had travelled en route to his chosen career.

In a talk at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) entitled ‘How learning about the heart can teach us about learning’ or ‘Lessons in failure’, Leeds Grammar School old boy Professor Choudhury discussed the contribution of scientists through the centuries and enlightened the audience about his current work in the Acute Vascular Imaging Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford.

He explained how our understanding of the heart today owes much to the meticulous observations and records of Leonardo da Vinci, the willingness to challenge dogma shown by William Harvey, the extreme curiosity, collaboration and industry of Sir Thomas Willis and Sir Christopher Wren, and Robert Hooke’s development and application of new technologies.

In the audience as well as alumni, staff, former staff and parents were many students interested in a medical career. Professor Choudhury is now a fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, but explained that despite leaving school with a clear ambition to become a cardiologist the path ahead had not always been smooth. Describing how the various disappointments and rejections had always led to the opening of another door, he advised the students to keep trying: “You will have to show tenacity.”

The talk was the latest in GSAL’s Mark Bailey lecture series, which was established in honour of GSAL’s former head teacher who became High Master at St Paul’s School, London in 2011.

Professor Choudhury is pictured with his former teachers Terry Hammond (English literature and general studies) and Eric Medway (biology).

« All stories

Or, if you prefer to chat to someone please call our admissions team. For Senior School call 0113 228 5121 and for Primary School call 0113 228 5113.