After graduating in physics from Oxford University, I joined Lothian Health Board as a Medical Physicist, working on Physiological Measurement and the development of instrumentation for research studies.

In 1992, I was awarded a PhD for work on non-invasive measurement of airways using an acoustic technique. Since 1991, I have specialised in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, being appointed to the University of Edinburgh in 1996. I was appointed Professor of Magnetic Resonance Physics in 2007 and was Head of Medical Physics & Medical Engineering 2008-2011.

I divide my time between Edinburgh Imaging facilities across the city, leading a small group of physicists supporting the development of MRI for clinical and preclinical use.

I was Treasurer and Membership Secretary of the British Chapter of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 2005-2015 and served on the Annual Meeting Program Committee of ISMRM 2011-2013. I chaired the Local Organising Committee of the European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology (ESMRMB) in 2015.

Measurement of brain metabolism and temperature using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. The main applications are to stroke and multiple sclerosis.

Acceleration of MRI acquisition using Compressed Sensing techniques, in collaboration with Prof Mike Davies, Engineering. The main applications are structural imaging and parameter mapping.

Measurement of blood and CSF flow in the brain, in collaboration with Prof Joanna Wardlaw. The main applications are in cerebrovascular small vessel disease and mild dementia.

I use my physical sciences expertise to extend the types of biological and clinical information that can be collected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).