Alumni Profile: Sean David
Dr Sean David (DPhil Pharmacology, 2002) is Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Family Medicine at Endeavor Health and is a Clinical Professor at the University of Chicago, where he teaches precision health.
Sean first came to Oxford as a visiting fellow, undertaking pharmacogenetics research at the former Radcliffe Infirmary. Encouraged by the late Sir Richard Doll, one of his scientific heroes, he later matriculated as a DPhil student at Green College (now part of Green Templeton College).
While his research formed the foundation of his time in Oxford, some of his strongest memories are of college life beyond the laboratory. Sean rowed throughout his three years at Green College (now Green Templeton), served as MCR President and became part of a close-knit international community with enduring friendships.
Sean believes Green College shaped the way he thinks about education itself. From leading research programmes to mentoring students and colleagues, whether working in medicine or writing fiction, he sees both as opportunities to improve people’s lives. ‘The point isn’t just the science,’ he reflected. ‘It’s about trying to improve public health and make a difference.’
Alongside a distinguished career in medicine and public health, he has recently published his debut novel, The Seas of Grace: ‘Although I’ve published my fair share of scientific papers and textbooks, I always felt my real strength was as a compositional artist.’ Sean wrote and illustrated the book, using 40 years of original source material, including letters and diary entries from the mid nineteenth century.
Looking back, Sean credits the college with giving him the confidence to embrace interests that stretched well beyond his academic discipline: ‘Green Templeton is a college of dreamers and change-makers.’ He encourages students: ‘Hold on to your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Be dauntless.’
Sean hopes to return to Green Templeton with his wife and daughter in the near future. ‘I’d love to come back during Summer Eights, meet the rowers and row again myself.’
