I am a biochemist and cell biologist with an interest in the molecular mechanisms of disease. I have collaborated closely with fellow scientists, surgeons, pathologists and, for the last 25 years, dental colleagues. Following undergraduate studies in Life Sciences, I carried out a PhD and postdoctoral work at St Mary’s & the Hammersmith Hospitals in London investigating the mechanism of peritoneal adhesion formation. I then worked in the field of vascular biology at the Thrombosis Research Institute, London before I joined the Oral Pathologist Professor Paul Speight at the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London where I was made Lecturer. In 2003 I moved to the School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield where I had School & Faculty responsibilities for Undergraduate and Masters programmes. In January 2022, I was appointed to a Chair of Integrated Oral Sciences at Peninsula Dental School University of Plymouth.

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2007).

Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists by published works (2017).

Member of the International Association for Dental Research & British Society for Oral & Dental Research (Chair of the Awards Committee 2011-15)

Member of the Association for Science Educators in Dentistry

Research projects supervised for 3 Intercalated BSc & 15 MMedSci students

10 PhD awarded to students for which I was primary supervisor, 7 as co-supervisor

Current PhD students:

Sian Crow (2023-2026) 'Sculpting the Immune Tumour Microenvironment in vitro'. co-supervisors Dr Andy Foey & Dr Vehid Salih.

I am an experienced teacher of fundamental science subjects to both clinical and non-clinical undergraduates and postgraduates including biochemistry, histology, physiology and pathology in laboratory, classroom and online settings. I led the first BDS Human Body module at the University of Sheffield, introduced virtual microscopy, biochemistry and physiology practical classes and was 1st year lead for the BSc in Bio-dental Science & technology. I was programme director for the MMedSci in Diagnostic Oral Pathology (2005-2012), School Director of PGT programmes (2012-2016), Faculty Lead for PGT (2017-2020) & Head of the Graduate School (2018-2020). I have co-written and edited a text book to support basic science teaching for dental students.

I currently teach years 1 &2 Dental Surgery and Dental Therapy & Hygiene students at Plymouth.

Supervised student prizes:

Junior Colgate Prize, British Society for Oral & Dental Research (2018)

British Society of Periodontology Basic Science Poster Prize (2016)

Unilever Poster Prize, British Society for Oral & Dental Research (2008 & 2010)

Hatton Awards Runner up, International Association for Dental Research (2009)

Senior Colgate Prize, British Society for Oral & Dental Research (2008)