Malcolm Smyth,Professor of analytical chemistry and dean of the faculty of science and health, DCU.
Personal/family:Married to Diane with five children.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
Watson and Crick for their pioneering work on the structure of DNA and the subsequent work of the human genome project.
What other career might you have chosen?
Probably some job in the pharmaceutical area.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
Greater cleanliness and hygiene in our hospitals. Better efficiency and better communication. I would also ensure that all people involved in the healthcare system are working together to serve the public who elected them or pay their wages.
What is your greatest fear?
Severe injury or death to any of my loved ones in my own lifetime.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Yes. I think I was a good patient even when taking a Barium meal or undergoing an endoscopy.
When or where are you happiest?
With my family, at home or on the beach in my home town of Portstewart.
How do you cope with stress?
I take it out on a golf ball at the first tee. Otherwise, I take as many deep breaths as required, reanalyse the situation and start afresh by trying to find a new solution to the problem.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
My dedication to supporting people, when I can, in developing themselves as individuals or in relation to their careers.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
I am told I am stubborn so I suppose it's not listening to others when I should.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
No, but I try to balance work/home life, diet, exercise and wine consumption, but do not always succeed, especially on the last two.
Who or what makes you laugh?
Meeting old friends and reliving tales of a misspent youth, and listening to my children when they hear what I got up to in the past.
What is your motto?
Treat everyone with respect - we are all equal in the sight of God.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Dr Who and watching my favourite football team, Burnley FC, play a live game in the championship.
What books would you bring to a desert islands?
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. Also I could not live without music, from Beethoven and Berlioz to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Joe Cocker.