I began my career in science at the Scottish Plant Breeding Station, near Edinburgh, where I worked on fungal pathogens of potato. Moving to the Scottish Crop Research Institute near Dundee, I developed research interests in the malting quality of barley while running a large scale screening programme on new breeding lines. I was also the Institute's sole exponent of the chemical synthesis of biologically active peptides. From 1992 until leaving in 1997 I managed the DNA sequencing and synthesis service for the institute.
After completing a hospitality management degree at Dundee University in 2001, I moved to Newcastle University to undertake a PhD in the Politics Department under the supervision of Professor Tim Gray. This CASE studentship, "Governance of Genetics", was funded by the ESRC and Westlakes Research Institute in Cumbria. In this I explored the differing responses of the Government and the mass public to genetic science, using genetics in reproductive sciences and GM crops as case studies.
I have worked in PEALS since November 2005.
My first two years was as a research Associate on the Developmental Gene Expression Map project, EU FP6 funded, contributing to the design of an 'Ethics Platform' for a European infrastructure for research using human embryonic and foetal tissue (recovered from termination of pregnancy) in developmental genetics research.
Since then I have worked on the provision and acquisition of human eggs and embryos for stem cell science.
I am currently a Research Associate funded by the Wellcome Trust, drawing together findings from several research projects and writing for publication findings from a Medical Research Council finded project on the provision of human eggs to stem cell research in exchange for reduced IVF fees.
In 2008 and 2011 I was responsible for the day-to-day organisation of the PEALS annual symposia and closely involved in the organisation of those in 2009 and 2010.
I am responsible for the maintenance of a literature database for the researchers in PEALS with an interest in human developmental tissues.
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, Open University 1995.
MA (Hons) Hotel and Catering Management, Dundee University, 2001.
PhD Newcastle University, 2006. "Genetic Science in the Risk Society: the contrasting responses of government and public".
My research interests are broadly in the ethical, legal and social aspects of the acquisition and use of human reproductive tissues (gametes, pre- and post-implantation embryos, and foetuses) in life science research. Specifically, I am concerned with the ethical acquisition of such tissues and the role of regulatory bodies in the governance of life science research.
I have considerable experience in small conference/symposium organisation, supplemented by my previous studies in hospitality management where I gained an understanding of financial planning and control.
I have gained valuable experience in preparing funding proposals for both UK research councils and EU FP7.
I have experience in the preparation of NHS research ethics committee submissions.
My current work encompasses projects on the donation of human eggs and embryos to research, with a focus on stem cell research, and to assist in the dissemination of the findings of a Wellcome Trust funded project on embryo donation and an MRC funded project on 'egg sharering' with stem cell research in exchange for reduced IVF fees.
I aim to develop my research on the uses of human developmental tissues in research and the decision-making processes of scientists and policy-makers regarding the appropriateness, or otherwise, of using particular tissues for particular purposes. I will also develop the work in my PhD on risk in relation to the regulation and research governance issues for the life sciences.
I have completed my contribution to my current project's fieldwork and am now engaged in the analysis of interview, demographic and documentary data and writing up our findings for publication.
None.
Invited participant in closed workshop on stem cell science hosted by the University of Oslo.
Invited by PEALS management team onto the organising committee for our 10th anniversary events.
Member of the steering group for the IDARTSS ( Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Uses of Reproductive Tissue in Stem Cell Science ) project led by Professor Erica Haimes.