Dr Richard Dyball
Emeritus Reader in Biological Science
t: (01223) 764108
What is your subject and specific area of study?
I work on the endocrine hypothalamus. The commonly held view is that the brain is the organ of the body that you think with but it does a great deal more than this. The hypothalamus is important because it takes care of the regulation of metabolism, blood pressure, body temperature and many other functions that you do not have to think about. If you did have to worry about such issues you would not have time to think at all. I record from single nerve cells and my recent interest has been to try to work out how nerve impulses carry coded information.
I have for many years maintained an active interest in the teaching of anatomy (including veterinary anatomy) and was in charge of the dissecting room for a short period just before the election of Mr Harold Ellis as the first University Clinical Anatomist. My lasting legacy was in the introduction of the routine use of prosections to teach areas of anatomy that are not easy for students to dissect. I am a member of the Court of Examiners for the Royal College of Surgeons and was heavily involved in the development of a core curriculum in anatomy published by the Anatomical Society (see here ).
What makes Clare College such a good place to study your subject?
Clare has a number of medical Fellows based both on the Addenbrooke’s site and in University Departments in the City. They give access to a wide range of expertise in medical teaching. The Clare medical students also form a very supportive social group.
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Recent Publications:
Click here for a list of recent publications.