Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

From Eric Clapton to Schubert. Scientist, Professor Dame Kay Davies shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young. From 2009.

From Eric Clapton to Schubert. Scientist, Professor Dame Kay Davies shares her castaway choices with Kirsty Young

Professor Kay Davies has dedicated much of her life to finding a cure for the severest form of muscular dystrophy. Before she was 40, she'd helped to develop the antenatal test which is now used around the world, then she isolated the gene sequence which could be instrumental in treating the condition.

It's quite something for a woman who doesn't have an O-level in biology. Although, even as a child she did possess that critical quality crucial to scientific pioneers: "I loved solving problems," she says, "I was very tenacious and would sit in my room until I had finished the problem. I am a sticker."

First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in February 2009.

45 minutes

Credit

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Feb 2018 10:15
  • Sun 18 Feb 2018 21:15
  • Sun 10 May 2020 10:00
  • Sun 10 May 2020 21:00
  • Thu 14 May 2020 11:00
  • Thu 14 May 2020 16:00
  • Thu 14 May 2020 21:00
  • Fri 15 May 2020 04:00

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.