Genetics in Medicine

Barbara Jennings, Norwich Medical School,Gavin Willis, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital,Nandu Thalange, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Barbara Jennings was part of the faculty team that established Norwich Medical School at UEA. She is a senior lecturer and the academic lead for their genetics curriculum. Barbara is a scientist: she completed her PhD about cancer genetics at UEA in 1995, and she has a background in clinical molecular diagnostics for the NHS. Her published research spans cancer genetics, genetic epidemiology, and pharmacogenetics. Barbara is also the course director of a free online course about pharmacogenetics (Using Personalized Medicine and Pharmacogenetics).

Nandu Thalange graduated from King's College, London in 1988, intent on a career in paediatric endocrinology. During training, Nandu was exposed to a large number of genetic disorders with implications for the endocrinologist which stimulated his interest in this area. For many years he was a senior lecturer at UEA and taught genetics to medical students from the inception of the Norwich Medical School. He remains active as a teacher and clinician and was recently appointed as an honorary Professor of Paediatrics at Mohammed Bin Rashid University, Dubai.


Gavin Willis graduated from Imperial College, London in 1985, and began his career in molecular biology and human genetics. He completed his PhD at the John Innes Institute in Norwich, and joined the pathology department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 1996, to develop molecular diagnostic markers for leukaemia. Gavin is the principal clinical scientist in the section of molecular genetics, and a specialist in the genetic tests used for the management of families affected by hereditary haemochromatosis.