Seeing through HIV's disguises - Cardiff University

pEoplE
In my opinion…
Matthew Murray
is an Associate
Lecturer at
the School
of European
Studies. A
graduate in
political science from Wheaton
College, Massachusetts, he gives
his analysis of Barack Obama’s
ground-breaking victory in
the US Presidential Election.
Barack Obama’s message of “change
we need” received a resounding
endorsement from American
voters and lead to his socially
historic presidential win. Obama’s
campaign overcame a long-fought
primary battle and moves by the
McCain campaign to affirm the core
constituencies of the Republican
Party. These moves included
increased “conservative” rhetoric
by the Republicans and culminated
in the eventual Vice-Presidential
selection of Sarah Palin. This placed
the Republican campaign into the
untenable position of being a ticket of
change but with a familiar, previously
Bush-like tone. In the “battleground”
states where the undecided voting
numbers can swing the state one
way or another, this “conservative”
message appeared a bit too familiar.
The growing seriousness of the
global economic crisis undoubtedly
aided in creating high voter turnout
nationwide, a situation that often
favors Democratic candidates.
Lost in the fervor of Obama’s historic
win were the perhaps even more crucial
wins by the Democratic Party in the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Democrats now hold a majority
in the legislative branch which ratifies
policy, laws and approves the budget.
It is likely we will see legislation
being passed during Obama’s term on
healthcare and other social welfare
reforms, the environment and an adapted
war effort focusing on Afghanistan and
away from Iraq. But questions remain as
to whether the powerful special interests
lobbies in Washington will allow the
reforms promised by the campaign to
be fully realized. It is also unclear if
Obama’s popularity abroad will remain
as strong, given his international policy
aims and the effect domestic needs
may have on the ongoing condition
of the global economy.
Working to address the looming
domestic recession while managing
the staggering national debt will
be Obama’s first real challenge. It
will be hard for a campaign that has
espoused so much “change” to do
as promised in reality. Only time
will tell if Obama’s term will be as
politically groundbreaking as it has
been socially groundbreaking.
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The School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies has achieved Investors in
People (IIP) status in recognition of its commitment to staff development.
This is the national Standard which sets out a level of good practice for staff
training and development to achieve business goals.
Professor Sheila Hunt, Dean and Head of School, said: “Everyone here has
worked hard to meet the rigorous IIP standards and, as a result, we have created
a very positive and supportive working environment within the School”.
Academic and administrative staff are pictured celebrating the award at the
School’s recent Away Day in Thornhill.
10
How “interview
practice” led to
56 years’ service
(Left to right) School of Dentistry lecturer Carole Harris, (representing those with more
than 25 years’ service) with Professor William Mapleson and Professor Steve Tomlinson
and an anniversary cake.
William Mapleson was not
sure what he was going
to do. It was 1952, and
he was nearing the end of his Ph.D
in Physics at Durham University,
studying atmospheric electricity
“My superviser asked what I was
thinking of doing next. I said I was
thinking about doing something
medical. ‘Oh well,’ he said, ‘there’s an
advert on the noticeboard you should
take a look at’.”
The advert was for the post of assistant
lecturer in anaesthetics at the then
Welsh National School of Medicine
in Cardiff. It called for “a wide
knowledge of knowledge of physics,
physiology and pharmacy.” William
Mapleson knew about physics.
Nevertheless, he recalls: “I decided
to apply to get some interviewing
experience. When I was offered the
job, I told my mother it would do for
five years. 56 years on, I’m still here.”
Professor Mapleson, as he now is,
was the longest-serving of the 65
members of staff to be recognised at
a recent ceremony for their work for
the University of Wales College of
Medicine and, post-merger, Cardiff
University. Between them, a total of
more than 3,300 years of service was
acknowledged.
The awards were distributed at a lunch
organised by the Human Resources
Directorate. The long servers included
academics, clinicians, technical
staff, library, secretarial and human
resources staff from across the range of
Schools which made up the College of
Medicine. They received their choice of
gift - either a crystal bowl, vase, clock
or the option to donate the value of
their gift, in whole or part, to charity.
Presenting the awards, Professor Steve
Tomlinson, former Vice-Chancellor
of the College and now Provost of
Cardiff University told the staff and
their guests: “As an institution which
prides itself on its reputation, it is
important to remember how that
reputation was achieved. Without
committed, dedicated and loyal staff,
I believe that the University would not
be where it is today.”
That commitment continues, in
Professor Mapleson’s case, even at
the age of 82. He jokes that he is on
his third head of department since
he retired. His research career has
focussed on computer modelling of
the uptake and distribution of inhaled
anaesthetics. He is currently analysing
data on the blood supply in the brain
as consciousness is lost. He estimates
that the number of anaesthetists he
has trained runs into the thousands.
He has also enjoyed learning from
colleagues from across all medical
departments, right from his early days
when the College was based at the
Royal Infirmary.
Professor Mapleson said: “I’ve led a
charmed life. I’ve been able to carry
out research – and get paid for it!”