Personal statement
In 1998, I gained my PhD from the University of London investigating the role of liposomes for drug delivery. I then moved to a newly established Drug Delivery Company (Lipoxen Technologies Ltd) for two years, developing their liposome drug delivery platform technology prior to moving to Academia to set up my own research group. I joined Aston University in 2000 and was appoint to Chair in Drug Delivery in 2007. I have effectively delivered in various academic and motivational leadership roles including Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching, Director of the Medicines Research Unit, and Head of Pharmacy. In 2016, I moved to the University of Strathclyde at part of their Global Talent Appointment Programme where I am continuing to develop my research strategies.
My research is multi-disciplinary and is focused on the development of drug delivery systems to facilitate the delivery of drugs and vaccines, thus providing practical solutions for current healthcare problems. I am an internationally recognised researcher with a strong track-record of high impact publications (current h-index 30), with approximately 100 peer reviewed manuscripts and 5 textbooks. To ensure the effective knowledge exchange and application of my research, I have generated 5 patents. My research and academic leadership has been recognised in a range of fellowships and awards including membership of the Controlled Release Society College of Fellows (2015), Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2014), Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (2012), Eminent Fellow of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2012), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Pharmaceutical Scientist of the Year (2012), the British Science Festival Collaboration in Formulation Award (2011) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Conference Medal (2007). I maintain a steady funding stream to support my research team and I am funded through a range of sources including Government Research Councils, European Framework Funding, Industrial Partners and Charities (>£3.5 million in research funding). I have supervised 22 PhD students to successful completion (< 4 years), all of whom are now further developing their careers in either Academic or Industrial positions. Externally I have numerous strategic leadership and advisory roles: I am an expert advisor for the MHRA, Chair of Pharmacy Schools Council (Jan 2014-2017) and I am Editor of the Controlled Release Society Newsletter (2004 – present). Previously I have been a Director-at-Large for the Controlled Release Society (3 years) and I completed 2 terms (6 years) as the Chair for the UK and Ireland Controlled Release Society. I am Editor in Chief of the Journal of Liposome Research and Pharmaceutics and Associate Editor for the Journal of Drug Targeting and the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.