Biography
I am Dean of Research and the pan-University Graduate School. I was previously Head of the School of Science, Engineering & Technology at Abertay University. As Dean of Research, my role within the University is to lead and support the development of focused collaborative research and interdisciplinary innovation for impact beyond academia (yielding economic, social and cultural benefits). My remit includes, the development of strategy, policy and practice; provision of quality researcher training and support; Research Degrees; development of research and knowledge exchange infrastructure and governance frameworks; leadership and management of REF; building critical mass and new research and knowledge exchange strengths across the University; as well as promoting strategic partnerships.
I graduated from University College Cardiff in 1987 (BSc Hons Microbiology) and the University of Wales College of Cardiff (PhD SERC/CASE ICI Biological Products) in 1992, with a thesis entitled the ‘Biotechnological implications of the ecology and developmental biology of selected higher fungi’. I have over 25 years of research experience in Microbiology and Mycology, particularly on Serpula lacrymans the dry rot fungus, aspects of the ecology and biology of other wood and soil fungi, and on modelling the growth and interactions of filamentous fungi.
I am particularly passionate about multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, and was involved in the development of SIMBIOS at Abertay – an interdisciplinary research group with an interest in complex systems and the use of modelling methodologies, to gain a better understanding of these systems applied across a wide range of discipline areas (from epidemiology to soil microbiology and everything in between).
I am an advocate for EDI within academia and as Chair of the Athena SWAN Self Assessment Team I have led the University to two successful bronze award.
I am driven by curiosity and the joy of working collaboratively with creative people.
