Management

Over the past 7 or 8 years I, along with Dr Kev Dhaliwal, have established a centre for excellence in Optical Medical Imaging in Scotland. For example we run an EPSRC-funded Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration aimed at developing a Multiplexed "Touch and Tell" Optical Molecular Sensing and Imaging System. This system will provide real healthcare benefits for patients; as it uses optical imaging to allow doctors to rapidly diagnose patients and monitor them in real-time without the need for cumbersome equipment. In working on this programme it became clear that there was a national need to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training in Optical Medical Imaging to train the next generation of young researchers. However my vision goes beyond this. I am a strong believer in the rapid translation and application of my research - I have spun out 4 companies so far including an imaging company. And so OPTIMA is a product of what I see as an unmet need in the training of young scientists : all students will have a clinical focus while being driven by the cutting-edge technology of the physical sciences and at the same time receive a full year's worth of business training in entrepreneurship.

Optical medical imaging is most certainly an area of growth in terms of research into new techniques and their applications. Translating this research into benefits to healthcare treatment is happening but to ensure this is occurs rapidly and is sustained we need to provide the next generation of highly skilled and innovative scientists and clinicians. OPTIMA was created with this view in mind and being involved with such a vibrant, dynamic and high quality doctoral training centre is something I find very exciting and rewarding.

As the Director my role has been to design and establish the training program that is an integral part of the CDT. I think that we’ve put together a program that’s really exciting and I would love to do if I was a student all over again.

Optical Medical Imaging is exciting and it’s also challenging I think we’ve put together a CDT that offers exciting research opportunities along with the support required to succeed in a multidisciplinary environment.

OPTIMA is an amazing opportunity to be involved in cutting edge research in optical medical imaging. The multidisciplinary ethos of the CDT and the exciting opportunities made available by being able to collaborate with biomedical scientists and clinicians to design innovative research projects with real world applications is truly unique. The students involved in the programme are all very motivated and engaged and I believe this is a great opportunity for them to carry out research in a truly multidisciplinary environment.

I am involved with OPTIMA because I am passionate about innovating in healthcare. Optical imaging will revolutionize modern healthcare by providing point of care molecular sensing and monitoring tools.. I see OPTIMA as an essential training ground for the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine to foster the future leaders in this area. Interdisciplinary research is the future of science. I work both as a consultant physician in the NHS and a University Senior Lecturer and my role in OPTIMA is to help provide the clinical bridge to optical imaging. I also wish to encourage young clinicians to embrace interdisciplinary research and join OPTIMA thorough clinical fellowships. We need to ‘light up disease’ and push molecular imaging into a new optical frontier.

The ability to visualize cell and tissue processes with high resolution lies at the heart of biomedical science. The reason I undertook an academic career in this field was a fascination with the microscopic world which inspired me from the very first time I looked down a light microscope in a biology class at school. Seeing is believing and optical imaging-based observation is a fundamentally powerful discovery tool for biological and medical science. The particular attraction of OPTIMA is that it uniquely provides new opportunities for such discovery by bringing true multidisciplinary expertise together. Successful multidisciplinary interactions are essential in 21st century biomedical research but are difficult to achieve. OPTIMA is successfully training the next generation of optical imaging scientists through just such interactions. That’s why it’s both satisfying and fun to be involved.

Lecturer in Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Head of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Group and Personal Chair in Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development

Senior Lecturer

Chair of Biophotonics

My role includes the day-to-day running of the programme to support the OPTIMA students and academics.

My scientific background in microbiology and immunology, as well as six years experience in public engagement, is enabling me to hit the ground running in the role of Outreach Officer. I was absolutely delighted to join OPTIMA's dynamic and enthusiastic team. It offers a unique opportunity to fuse industry engagement with community outreach. In this role, I hope to focus on reaching audiences who wouldn’t ordinarily get the opportunity to meet researchers in such a cutting-edge field, strengthening links with current industrial partners and forging new partnerships. Nanoscience and nanotechnology have the potential to revolutionise medicine and many other fields. By embedding engagement with end users from the start, it will be possible to address any concerns using open and honest dialogue and share the excitement! I am open to any and all ideas for how we could work together, so please do not hesitate to get in touch!

My role in OPTIMA includes providing full organisational and administrative support to the PI, Centre Director and Management Team. This includes production of a mid-term funding review, contribution to funding application processes, complex budget administration, development of best practice models including drafting, establishing and maintaining standard operating procedures, managing student recruitment, industrial placements and external promotion activities where appropriate, organisation of meetings, classes and workshops, collating and producing learning support materials, attending committees as appropriate and general administrative duties.