Using electrophysiological techniques, we study synaptic function and dysfunction in pre-clinical rodent models of neurodevelopmental disorders

I have a long-standing research interest in ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs), specifically those gated by glutamate was triggered.  My current interests in glutamatergic synaptic function LGICs span fundamental structure-function studies through to research in dysfunctional signalling in rodent models of human neurodevelopmental disorders and in particular mutations in or deletions of genes coding for NMDA receptor subunits. My research vision is to develop an integrated approach to research that begins with the study of single protein molecules and synaptic function and extends, through collaboration with colleagues, to whole animal studies with an ultimate goal of the clinical study and treatment of disease.

I am currently the co-Director of the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research and co-Head of the School of Neurological and Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.  Previously I was the director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences (2015-24). I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow in 1988 and gained my PhD from University College London in 1992.