top of page

Research Interests

Predominantly focused on the interface of molecular cytogenetics and genomics, and the understanding of chromosome behaviour in an individual, evolutionary and environmental context. 400+ publications in highly impact-driven areas, with an aim to make key breakthroughs to advance diagnostics, improve agriculture and address environmental concerns. Widespread education and public engagement, both of research findings and of the field in general. A large proportion carried out through a highly successful “PhD by distance” programme, >24,000 citations, h-index >74, i10 index >230.

chromosomeBWrotate.tiff

Key Interests

Human Fertility and Embryology

  • >110 academic publications including BMJ, Lancet and leading fertility journals

  • World’s first cytogenetic preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) case (1993)

  • Pioneering role in developing “Karyomapping” (2010) a universal test for the diagnosis of genetic disease in human preimplantation embryos, used to treat >30,000 patients

  • Chromosome abnormalities, nuclear organization, embryo signaling networks, morphokinetics, embryo-endometrial dialogue, spent media diagnostics, AI

  • Sperm DNA damage through commercial screening, now a mature enterprise activity.

Non-Human Fertility and Embryology

  • Built a pig and cattle IVF facility generating genotyped IVF embryos to improve food production

  • 27 academic publications including world's first non-human (cattle) Karyomapping cases

Human Disease and Gene Mapping (Non-Fertility Related)

  • Cancer, tuberous sclerosis, technology development, preterm infants, juvenile epilepsy

  • 22 academic publications

Publicity, Broadcast, Outreach, Educational Research, Science Communication

  • Publications on educational research (9), publicly facing articles (22), regular public speaker

  • >£10 million in “advertising value equivalent” (AVE), >200 broadcast media appearances

  • KMTV-made documentaries including lead presenter (including ITVX)

Enterprise Activity: Genomic Screening in Mammals

  • “CytoScreen Solutions” a cytogenomic screening service for infertility in agriculture

  • 10 customers in 15 countries, raised ~£500,000 in 10 years, 7 academic publications

Genome Construction, Evolution and Comparative Genomics of Vertebrates

  • World-leading group in avian research of this type, contributions to Science, Nature and Nature Communications

  • Highly publicized academic publications (>120) e.g. on evolution of dinosaur genomes

Genomic and Cross-Disciplinary Applications Relevant to the Poultry Industry

  • Relationships between genes, metabolism and productive traits, nutrition and microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract, non-invasive egg assessment, universal mathematics of egg shape

  • 70+ academic publications with high-profile press interest

20120817151810.bmp
Billrotate.tif
goosepaint.jpg
bottom of page