Navigating the Dual Path: Balancing Clinical Training and Research in Reproductive Medicine
By Hannan Al-Lamee
Author Bio: Hannan is a Senior Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and is a Subspecialty Trainee in Reproductive Medicine at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. She holds an MBChB (Hons) from the University of Liverpool and is also a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG). Her clinical training has taken her around hospitals across the North-West of London. Alongside her medical career, Hannan has had a strong passion for scientific research. She holds an MPhil in Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine and has recently completed her PhD from the University of Liverpool, titled ‘identifying markers of endometrial regeneration and receptivity’. Her research focuses on endometrial stem-progenitor cells and endometrial receptivity, with several published papers in the field. Hannan also serves as an Early Career Representative for the Society of Reproduction and Fertility (SRF).
How did you get involved in research during your medical/clinical career?
My journey into research and clinical academia really came down to being in the right place at the right time. As a bright-eyed medical student, I wasn’t sure which area of medicine I loved most—let alone what clinical academia even entailed. What truly changed the course of my career was mentorship. I was fortunate to be introduced to Professor Dharani Hapangama during my penultimate year of medical school, and little did I know she would become a defining influence in my academic and clinical path.
She inspired me to think beyond the standard protocols—to ask the bigger questions of “why,” “what,” and “how.” Under her guidance, I embarked on an MPhil at the University of Liverpool, joining her research group to investigate and characterise stem cells within the human endometrium. It was fascinating—and incredibly hard work! I immersed myself in lab techniques I’d never encountered before and learned to present and defend my work through both academic writing and public speaking.
That early exposure played a huge role in my decision to specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and later subspecialise in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. During my clinical training, I actively sought out research opportunities—starting with audits and quality improvement projects that brought direct improvements to patient care. As my passion grew, I took time out of programme for research (OOPR) to complete a PhD, expanding on my earlier MPhil work while also working as a Clinical Fellow in Reproductive Medicine.
I found the combination of research and clinical work in an IVF unit invigorating. Once again, I was surrounded by a supportive team of mentors alongside Professor Dharani Hapangama—such as Dr Nicola Tempest and Dr Christopher Hill—who nurtured my curiosity. Not only did I have the opportunity to ask the bigger questions again, but I could also focus on those with real clinical relevance. Being both a clinician and a researcher gave me the unique privilege of recruiting patients and obtaining samples directly from my workplace—bringing the bench and bedside closer together in a truly fulfilling way.
What has a background in research taught you as a doctor?
Research has made me a more reflective, evidence-driven, and curious clinician. It’s taught me to think critically, question clinical norms, and approach protocols with a mindset of “how can we improve this?” It’s also helped me become a better communicator—translating complex findings into meaningful insights for both patients and colleagues.
Perhaps most importantly, it’s taught me how to appraise evidence properly and stay current with emerging science, which is invaluable when counselling patients and advocating for high-quality care. My research experience has helped me bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, and that connection is where I find the most rewarding work.
What is required for a career in clinical academia?
Curiosity, tenacity, a great mentor—and a solid support system. Clinical academia isn’t a straight path, and it’s certainly not always easy. You need to be self-motivated, open to feedback, and comfortable with a degree of uncertainty. The workload can be intense—balancing on-calls (12 hour days and night shifts), laboratory experiments, academic deadlines, conferences, and manuscripts—but if you’re passionate about your subject, it’s all worth it. Having protected time for research, funding opportunities, and flexibility in training makes a huge difference. I’d encourage anyone interested to explore opportunities like OOPR early in their career and to seek out environments that value and support academic development.
How can other doctors get involved in research?
Start small—you don’t need to dive into a PhD from day one. Begin with clinical audits or quality improvement projects in areas you care about. These offer a great foundation in study design and can have a real impact on patient care. Find mentors, join journal clubs, attend conferences, or ask to shadow someone in research to get a feel for the environment.
Societies like the SRF and RCOG provide fantastic early-career opportunities, from funding to presentation platforms. Many research groups are eager to welcome enthusiastic junior contributors. If a topic excites you—follow that spark. Some of the best research questions are born from genuine curiosity and clinical experience.
What are some career paths for clinicians in research?
There’s no single path, and that’s the beauty of it. Some doctors pursue structured academic roles through the Specialised Foundation Programme (SFP), Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs) or Academic Clinical Lectureships (ACLs). Others, like me, take time out of training to pursue research degrees such as an MD or PhD. Some maintain full-time clinical roles while contributing to collaborative studies or mentoring students in research projects.
Increasingly, hybrid roles are emerging that allow for both clinical and academic time—something I hope we see more of. Whether research is your central focus or a valuable complement to your clinical practice, there’s space for it and in Reproductive Medicine, we need both perspectives to drive meaningful progress.
