Physicist. Lecturer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London. Research uses optics, the study and control of light, to develop new technologies for biology and medicine. This has involved developing new diagnostic tools for early detection of cancer, studying biological phenomena such as the formation of brain plaques involved in dementia and fabricating microscale robots for the next generation of minimally-invasive surgery. Has also worked on a project designed to raise awareness within the optics community about gut diseases that lead to malnutrition. This entailed undertaking a comprehensive “horizon scan” investigating new techniques to study gut health in low-income countries, publishing a summary of the findings, and organizing seminars for medics and engineers aimed at stimulating collaborations that can address key challenges in developing countries. Currently working on a number of research projects investigating the use of optical spectroscopy as a tool for minimally- or non-invasive assessment of gut health, with applications ranging from rectal cancer to malnutrition. One example involves work to translate optical technologies to developing countries through the production of a new test for "leaky gut" that is cheap, robust and simple to use. Research involves developing improved healthcare technologies and making them more accessible in poor countries.