One of RGU’s (many) strengths is our School of Pharmacy. In this, our latest 60 second interview, one of our new members of staff tells us what he likes about his job and why he will never be a professional basketball player…
Name: Andy Walker
Job Title: Tutor – Pharmacist Independent Prescribing
What does your job at RGU involve?
In my new role I work with the full-time academic staff within the School of Pharmacy and use my experience of working as a clinical oncology pharmacist to support students undertaking the Pharmacist Independent Prescribing qualification.
What attracted you to come to work at RGU?
As a former student on the RGU MPHARM course, and having completed the Pharmacist Independent Prescribing qualification on which I now teach, I have first-hand experience of the quality of teaching that RGU provide for its students. On a personal level, I’ve really benefitted from the education I received from RGU, and have seen the positive impact that it has had on my ability to care for patients. I`m really looking forward to supporting other pharmacists to develop their own skills further.
If you weren’t doing this job, what, in an ideal world, would you like to do for a living? Professional basketballer for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA – but unfortunately I`m 5’9 . . . and not very good.
What’s your favourite place in Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire?
The Cairngorms national park is beautiful. I always tried to take a detour when I was driving down from Aberdeen when I was going back home.
Best holiday you’ve had and why?
My honeymoon to Canada. The food in Montreal and Quebec was delicious and we went whale watching which was an amazing experience.
Favourite TV show?
Brasseye or The Trip. I`m not sure I can decide which I prefer.
Favourite band/music?
This could be a very long list, but at the moment I`m listening to a lot of NewDad (who are a band from Galway, none of whom are dads as far as I`m aware) and the new Mogwai album. I`ve recently moved house which has meant I`ve had to go through my record collection and have rediscovered some old favourites which remind me of my time as an undergrad which has been nice.
If you’re going to a restaurant and could only have one thing to eat (one course), what would it be?
I`d like to have a go at the hot sauce chicken wings challenge from the youtube Hot Ones series. It looks like a lot of fun.
If you were in charge of the university for one day, what’s the first thing you would do?
Get a very strong coffee . . .