Professor Darren K. Griffin

Darren offers advisory and consultancy services across genomics, diagnostics, reproductive health, and farming sectors, as well as broader areas. His expertise spans market research, investor communications, high-impact presentations, manuscript and thesis preparation, and expert opinion for complex genetic cases. With over 35 years of experience, 400+ publications, and 50 PhD supervisions, Darren brings extensive academic and industry insight, strong communication skills, a global network, and a proven fundraising track record. He's also provided expert advice in major legal cases involving genetic technologies.

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Professional Snapshot

Darren is a leading academic with over 35 years of experience in genetics, genomics, and reproductive science, and has a longstanding passion for science communication. With a research portfolio exceeding 400 publications and over £5.5 million in funding secured, he is known for his cross-disciplinary impact of his work, as well innovation in course development.

Darren has held numerous leadership roles in academia and contributes widely to outreach, education, and advisory work across sectors. An accomplished communicator in both broadcast media and live forums, he specializes in engaging diverse audiences and building professional networks.

Darren is a graduate of the University of Manchester (BSc and DSc), and has affiliations with University College London (from which he obtained his PhD), The Royal Veterinary College London, The University of Kent, and Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Professional Experience

University College London (UCL), UK

University of Kent, UK.

Adjunct Professor, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Graduated from UCL in 1992 with a PhD. External examiner for 2 MSc courses and 4 PhDs, and rejoined as an honorary professor in 2025.

Professor of Genetics for 20 over years before transitioning to an honorary post in 2025. Career highlights include publications in BMJ, The Lancet, Nature, Science, and Nature Communications. Helped pioneer the development of Karyomapping - a universal method for diagnosing genetic disease in human preimplantation embryos - and played a leading role in decoding the genome organization of extinct dinosaurs. Additionally, he initiated two successful enterprise ventures in genetic screening.

PhD Graduates and External Examiner: 45 students supervised to completion | Average 6-7 publications per thesis | 22 PhDs examined including Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, UCL | External examiner for 4 MSc (Leeds, Dundee, UCL)
Awards: Raised >£5.5 million in grants including UK research councils, Innovate UK, Wellcome Trust and British Film Institute | 5 internal prizes (Kent) | Nominated for Times Higher Research Project of the Year (National award)
International Conferences: Keynote or invited speaker in numerous international forums, mostly PGT or avian/dinosaur genomics, attend and speak at ~6 international conferences p.a.
Broadcast Appearances and Documentaries plus >£10 million in “advertising value equivalent” through publicity
Taught genetics, medical and reproductive physiology at all levels
International IVF training courses
Public Orator for the University
Coordinator for Research Excellence Framework (twice)
Director of Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Reproduction (CISoR)
Director of Research and Deputy Head of School
Chair or co-chair of 20 international conferences
Editor in Chief BMJ Connections, Clinical Genetics and Genomics, DNA and Section Editor Genes
Editorial Board of numerous journals, edited 8 special issues and 1 book (Preimplantation Genetic Testing. Griffin and Harton, CRC press 2020)

Regular visitor, lectured on courses and took part in conferences. Vibrant collaborative research effort designed to conserve and encourage biodiversity in a range of species.

Academic Qualifications