CV: Dr. Jon Barrett

Bio basics: Forty-seven years old, married with four kids. Born in South Africa, moved to the United Kingdom in 1986. Earned MBBch, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1977; Membership of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK, 1988; Fellowship of same society, FRCOG, 1996; MD, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 1992; Subspecialty Qualification in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 1992; FRCSC Specialty Exam, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 1995.

What I wanted to be when I grew up:

Always wanted to be a doctor of "ladies and babies," as I used to say when I was five. My late father was an OBGYN in South Africa and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Proudest achievement:

Getting my UK qualification of MRCOG, with my late father in the audience.

Why babies and science are a good mix:

Babies-God-given and barely understood by science-represent the miracle of life.

Why multiples need more study:

There is an epidemic of multiples in the western world. Epidemic because the incidence has exponentially increased, and a problem because the risk to mothers and babies is very significant, with a huge impact on the health care system. There are also huge knowledge gaps in the science of multiple pregnancies.

Plans for the new appointment:

To give the P&G program a central role at SRI by integrating it into the research web that Michael Julius is weaving. To formulate a research platform that integrates the epidemiological, basic science and clinical in the areas in which we excel: the extremely pre-term infant, the high-risk pregnant mother and the reproductive health of women. 

In a perfect world:

We'd be paid the same for doing research as we are for providing clinical care.

The best-kept secret at SRI:

Michael Julius, like liver and onions.