Lucy Mckay

Lucy McKay is a UK trained doctor and the CEO of Medics4RareDiseases. Lucy’s brother had a rare disease and she grew up alongside a patent group that started life in Lucy’s family home. She studied Human Genetics at The University of Nottingham and then medicine at QMUL. At medical school Lucy started Barts and The London Society of Rare Diseases and subsequently, Students4RareDiseases (S4RD).

S4RD became Medics4RareDiseases in 2018 and a UK Registered Charity in 2019. Lucy’s role of CEO combines her unique personal experiences with her medical training in order to improve the lives of those living with rare diseases.

Lucy’s talk
The DNA Doc is here to answer your biggest questions about genetics and rare disease. Like “what does DNA look like?” and “Can we change our genes?”. But perhaps the biggest question of all…”can we bring dinosaurs back to life?”. Dr Melita Irving will be answering these questions and more – all while extracting DNA from a strawberry! Luckily she will have her friend, Lucy, there to assist her and make sure she does create any mutant fruit.

Who is your hero?
My gorgeous 98 year old Grandad because he has long telomeres.

Where is your favourite place in the world?
York, because you can be transported back in time. 

What is your greatest achievement?
Creating a human being.

What is your wish for the future of rare disease?
An excellent standard of care and support for all those living with rare disease.