Rosemary Waring
1. When you were at Brighton & Hove High School, and what is your fondest memory of school?
I was at BHHS from 1952-1960. My fondest memory is really of the old building (wasn’t it built by some local eccentric who reckoned it was to the measurements of the Temple of Solomon?) which was full of strange corners and levels and not really suited to be a school at all.
2. Who was your favourite teacher and why?
My favourite teacher was Miss (Elizabeth) Sinclair who taught Geography. She could draw circles freehand on the blackboard and obviously loved doing this! She was believed to have lost her fiancé in the First World War and never looked for love again. We all thought this was so romantic.
3. What were the benefits of being in an all-girls school?
Being in an all-girls school meant that we were able to develop as people without some of the pressures of society then. Our Headmistress (Irene Ashcroft) was rather austere and determined that her girls would go on to serve society in some way, whether as homemakers or as teachers or nurses. Our career choices were much more limited than today, unless we were very determined, but the school certainly supported us in opting for a career path.
4. What did you want to be when you ‘grew-up’?
I always wanted to be a scientist, preferably studying Chemistry as I was hooked on the phenolic smell of the old teak benches in the Chemistry lab.
5. What do you do now, and what are the most rewarding and challenging parts of your job?
I went on to teach and do research in Toxicology at the University of Birmingham until I retired but I’m still working part-time, writing scientific reviews and also acting as a scientific consultant to a small company called ‘Tharos’ where I am a director. We make supplements to improve digestion for humans, horses and dogs. This has meant doing some cutting-edge research on the gut microbiome, the collection of bacteria, viruses and fungi which plays a major role in both human and animal health. Our supplements really do make a difference, so this has been both rewarding and fascinating.
6. What are you most proud of so far?
I’m most proud of my work as a toxicologist on international and UK government committees. I worked on EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and on the committee on ‘Cosmetic Ingredients’ for the EU, as well as co-ordinator for an EU-funded project called ‘ENDOMET’ where we looked at plasticisers as potential pseudo-steroids which might have masculinising or feminising effects at very low doses. The CoC (Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in the Environment) and PRiF, the ‘Pesticides Residues in Food’ committee were fascinating too.
7. What was the best piece of advice you were given whilst at Brighton?
The best advice from the school was to ‘follow my star’. The teachers all felt I would do better academically if I did a degree in Classics but realised my heart wasn’t in it.
8. What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
I think I’d say ‘There’s far more out there than you can imagine now. Knock on doors and when they open, have faith in yourself and go through. It will all work out well’.
9. What book, film or piece of music would you recommend to your younger self and to your fellow alumnae?
I’d recommend ‘A Short Walk in the Hindu Khush’ by Eric Newby for humour and determination, both qualities that are essential in life.
10. How would you like to be remembered?
Probably as someone who tried to make a difference and improve life for others.
