My undergrdauate degree from the University of Edinburgh in Biochemistry (1981), was followed by a PhD in the Faculty of Medicine at the same institution. After undertaking a Celltech Training Fellowship at the MRC Reproductive Biology Unit in Edinburgh (1984-1987), I joined the Imperial Cancer Research Fund lab of Professor Roland Wolf, which relocated to the University of Dundee in January 1993. As part of ICRF, later Cancer Research UK, I became a senior, then Chief, Scientifc Officer, and later Associate, and then Staff, Scientist. I was appointed to an honorary lecturer position with the University of Dundee in 1999, formally joining the University in April 2011 as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine, and being appointed Reader in 2018.

I am an enthusiastic advocate for outreach, and believe passionately that it is our duty as academics and scientists to clearly and openly communicate our work to the public. Ihave been extensively involved for >20 years in science communication and public engagement, both internally (Lab Tours, Open Days) and externally (School visits, Race/Relay for Life, charity & fundraising groups). In 2012, I was Ambassador of the Year (Researcher) in the CRUK ‘Flame of Hope’ awards. I was joint recipient of the Ian Stevenson Award for Public Engagement in 2016, and in 2017 I was appointed become Academic Lead for Public Engagement/Wider Impact for the School of Medicine, and represent the School on the University’s Public Engagement Forum.

I chair the Medical School Biological Services management committee, and I am the School of Medicine Representative on the University Welfare and Ethical use of animals committee. I sit on the National Centre for Reduction, Refinement and Replacment (NC3Rs) Studentship Committee.

Trained as a biochemist, I have over 30 years’ experience working across disciplines in the areas of toxicology, drug metabolism and molecular pharmacology, which has made me a leader in these fields, with an international reputation for innovation. For more than two decades I have been at the cutting edge of transgenic model development, culminating in the generation of genetically altered mice designed to closely mirror human drug metabolism. These unique humanised mouse models havethe potential to create a paradigm shift in pre-clinical drug testing and clinical trial design, particularly addressing the increasing use of drug combinations in oncology. 

Over the last 15 years, my sustained research contributions and extensive knowledge of transgenic design and strategies has established me at the forefront of this area and internationally recognised amongst my peers, and I am regularly invited to speak, chair and participate at national/international conferences and symposia. 

I have established many local, national and international collaborations with both academic and industrial partners, resulting in a strong and sustained publication record. As well as several book chapters and reviews, I have published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles; my h-factor is 44 (Google Scholar, February 2018; http://tinyurl.com/hth7bzq). My expertise in mouse work, and knowledge of transgenics, has led to my involvement in numerous projects, both across the University and nationally/internationally. Since joining the University in 2011, I have been instrumental in securing more than £5M of grant funding, including two MRC Project grants (2017, 2018) worth >£2M. I regularly review manuscripts submitted for publication to a range of journals, and review grant applications for national funding bodies.

Undergraduate: I deliver lectures to science and medical students, mainly in the area of toxicology, drug metabolism and transgenic models. I currently participate in BS50003 MSci Integrated Masters, BS42007 Cancer Biology, BS42027 Cancer Pharmacology, BMSc 40036, BS32029 Biomedical Sciences  and SSC components for Medicine.

Postgraduate: I have been involved in the supervision of a number of graduate students; I am currently primary supervisor to one graduate student. I also participate in, and help run, MRes Cancer Biology

PhD & MSc Examinations:I have been Convenor or Internal Examiner for MSc and PhD theses in the Medical School, and External Examiner at a number of UK academic institutions.