Faces of Reading

I completed my PhD in 2009 and am continuing my snakebite/venom research, as well as researching cardiovascular diseases.

We're currently developing a diagnostic tool and improved therapeutic strategies for snakebites because they are causing lots of problems in developing countries like India. Antivenoms are sometimes administered even if it's not a venomous snakebite, which can be dangerous.

In addition to teaching pharmacology, I teach about snake venoms and bites in an optional module for biological sciences students, which I'm really pleased about. In 2016, I won the Reading University Students' Union (RUSU) Research Inspired Teaching Excellence Award, and in 2022 won the RUSU Teaching Excellence Award for Life Sciences – both via student nominations.

In addition to research in labs, I (together with numerous collaborators) am also involved in improving public awareness about snakes and snakebites in rural areas, and developing new policies to improve snakebite management in India. Over the last few years, we have engaged with over seven million people via multifaceted approaches using traditional and social media, as well as direct outreach activities in schools, colleges and rural villages. We also proved that our campaign has been successful in reducing snakebite-induced deaths, disabilities and socioeconomic burden in selected regions by improving the treatment-seeking behaviour of rural communities. For this work, I received the University's prestigious, Research Engagement and Impact Award in 2018. I am delighted that we are making real changes in snakebite management on the ground, and this was the primary reason why I came to Reading originally.

As well as supporting lots of students here, I also support some in India. I run a small charity to provide financial support for students who finish school but can't afford to go to university. I'm also the Warden at Mackinder Hall and I'm enjoying it. The University of Reading is my home; I will continue to work hard to achieve my goals here while supporting the growth of the University.

I teach a module on ancient education, which is my research speciality. Reading students are fun to teach and that’s something I really enjoy.

I also run the ancient schoolroom. Over a period of two weeks, we have up to 60 children a day coming in, and I’m responsible for providing all kinds of different activities, all related to ancient education.

I’ve written several books on how Greek speakers learned Latin and how Latin speakers learned Greek. I discovered some ancient Latin textbooks, edited them, and published Learning Latin The Ancient Way a year ago and now the whole world has got them.

I came to Reading in 2013. I had been the only linguist in a classics department for a really long time, but here there are three of us. That’s much better for my research.

I live in Oxford and work part time. It works well, as I don’t have to commute in five days a week.

I’m involved in the LGBTQIA+ group at Reading, but it’s not a place where, as a lesbian, you feel isolated. British universities are good places to be a lesbian; everybody is very welcoming. And it’s nice to have colleagues as LGBTQIA+ allies.

In February 2020, I became co-Chair of the LGBTQIA+ staff network. I identify as Gay and Jewish. I feel very fortunate to work in a welcoming space where my sexual orientation is something I can celebrate as opposed to something which is just tolerated: where I can be ‘out and proud’. The rainbow flag flies high on IDAHOBIT, and the university quite rightly celebrates each year the contribution of its then Chancellor, Lord Wolfenden, to the acceptance of gay people through his authorship of the famous Wolfenden Report. 

Shortly before the COVID-19 lockdown, I was fortunate to marry my husband (and now law school colleague), Professor David Bilchitz, in a progressive Jewish egalitarian Vegan gay wedding in South Africa. David and I wrote about our experiences in the Jewish Report.

I am passionate about advancing LGBTQIA+ rights in the UK and globally, especially in respect of ensuring asylum-seekers' access to protection for persecution and in working with Parliamentarians, civil society organisations, practitioners, and recognised refugees.   

When it comes to my Jewish identity, given its distressing prevalence, I feel blessed to have never experienced antisemitism on campus. Unlike other institutions, Reading does not hold lectures, seminars, or examinations on the Jewish Sabbath, and when I flagged up the challenge posed for prospective Jewish students with holding open and visit days only on Saturdays, additional dates were added. Hence, it strikes me that the question at – and for Reading – is not about willingness to accommodate, but about awareness and visibility: the public calendar which the University follows is centred around Christian holidays (notably Christmas and Easter) whereas festivals of minority faiths like Divali, Eid, or Yom Kippur are not publicly recognised. I know that this can and will change. 

I work full time, but I work from home 4 days a week. Managers are very good at giving us that flexibility.

I have Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and people have been very supportive without being patronising. Part of the reason for working from home is to help manage my fatigue. I live in Reading, I came here when I was 18 as a student and have more or less stayed here ever since. I had been commuting to Oxford – I was at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust before – which was getting a bit too tiring. It's better now I'm working a lot closer to home.

The team from Estates and Facilities also came in and created a kind of frame by my desk so I can get up easily, which has been really helpful. Everyone in the office will help out if I need anything too; it's been a positive experience.