Originally hailing from Edinburgh, Ali has been the Public Engagement Manager at the Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research since its launch in 2017. His experiences, gained from a working across the world in a wide variety of settings, have equipped him well for this busy, dynamic role.

Ali has an honours degree in Microbiology from the University of Glasgow. The performing arts also played a significant role in his life growing up, and since graduating he has combined both science and performing in many roles.

Ali's first experience in the world of what is now called public engagement was at Glasgow Science Centre. There, he ran workshops, delivered nursery outreach, and was a key presenter in the Science Show Theatre. During this time he also worked with Scottish TV, as the regular science presenter for 'The Hour'. He helped them to celebrate World Pistachio Day, made models of the solar wind, and even cultured shoes from lead presenter Michelle McManus.

Following this, Ali worked for Edinburgh Science Festival as an Events Developer. Highlights here included developing new education workshops, curating a programme of science theatre for a brand new venue, and developing adult-themed 'busks' for music festivals.

This led on to his taking on the brand-new position of Science Engagement Officer at the National Museum of Scotland, as part of their Masterplan Phase 3 project. Here, he created new storytelling sessions for early years, trained in in-house delivery team in science communication, and led the testing of prototype software interactives. He also took on a significant role in the interpretation of these interactives, across both Science & Technology and Art & Design roles, which was a fantastic new interdisciplinary challenge.

Since joining the team at the University of Dundee, Ali has used this interdisciplinary experience extensively. The Wellcome Centre has worked with the Dundee Rep Engage team to create site-specific theatre, helped to join the University and City closer together by collaborating with the Stobswell Forum, and created several new art pieces, exhibitions, and collaborations. The most recent of these is a 7-storey mural in Stobswell, bringing the Centre's work the the public in a larger-than-life way.

Beyond the confines of his post, Ali is heavily involved with the University's LGBT+ Network, and is an elected member of the Stobswell Forum. He enjoys half marathons, hiking, and his piano.