After graduating from the University of St Andrews with a BSc in Biochemistry (first) I was awarded a scholarship and undertook research in connective tissue where I gained a PhD from the university (1973). I later held a postdoctoral post in pathology Queens University, Ontario returning to Oxford where I held a lecturing post at Oxford Brookes University. I also held an honorary research post with the Open University and the MRC. Apart from being involved in the development of new degrees I had research collaborations with University of Oxford, Open University and MRC where I worked on diseased states in cornea and calcium dependent systems. I was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Bath Spa University College (1985) and was involved in developing the Japan Business Centre that focused on providing services in language for science and technology. During this period I also held a post at Bath University. After leaving Bath (1995) I held the position of Assistant Principal, College of St Marks & St John and through this role was engaged in many regional developments that included managing part of a Health Action Zone and being part of regional strategy groups for the Government office.
I joined London Metropolitan University (2000) and am now Director of the Institute for Health Research & Policy. In the post I am working in the areas of biotechnology with Donghua University where I am joint Director (with Professor Limin Zhu) of the UK-China Laboratory for Therapeutic Textiles. In the laboratory we are working on various nano-systems that will enhance drug delivery systems.
I also have projects based at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and National Centre for Animal and Plant Health, Cuba. I have published over 120 papers, received numerous grant awards and hold honorary chairs from the Chinese and Cuba governments.