I started my career in industry in instrumentation and control engineering, then moving into biomedical engineering after studying for a master’s degree in Bioengineering at Strathclyde University. In 1989 I joined the NHS / Northern Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering department based at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, first working with the Cardiovascular Physics and Engineering Research Group allied to Newcastle University, then becoming lead Clinical Scientist specialising in microvascular assessment i.e., studying the smaller blood vessels of the body. I have a PhD in the vascular optics pulse technique known as photoplethysmography (PPG), for which I am a specialist and innovator. I am a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Scientist, state registered Clinical Scientist, and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (Accredited Senior Imaging Scientist).

In 2001 I founded the unique vascular optics measurement facilities at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for patient microvascular assessments, establishing a platform for wide ranging collaborative research in clinical physiological measurement as well as medical device, sensor and signal / image processing development work. A main group assessed was those with a suspected auto-immune connective tissue disease including patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon.

In 2020, I took up the new post of Professor in Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation at Coventry University’s new Research Centre for Intelligent Healthcare (CIH). I am fascinated to explore the power of light in medicine (“vascular optics”), with its many opportunities in microcirculation and vascular research. I have now established specialist clinical grade measurement facilities for my microvascular research at Coventry and am Cluster Lead for a growing research team (Intelligent Vascular Optics and Microvascular Sensing, from single-handed up to 2023 to now having 5 PGR students and 1 Assistant Professor with me - including joint student collaborations with world leading ETH Zurich and A* Singapore universities). My research focus is about development of tests using AI techniques applied to vascular optics signals and images.

Applying for specific funding to take aspects of these forward. I welcome discussions on collaboration in vascular optics research, an impactful and relatively new way of looking at things with light.