I am a Reader in the Department of Computer Science and member of the Nano Engineering & Spintronic Technologies (NEST) Research Group. I am currently the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Computer Science.

I graduated from the University of Manchester in 1993 with a First Class degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. I completed an MSc in Instrument Design and Application (Electrical Engineering) at the University of Manchester/UMIST in 1994. In 1997 I completed my PhD "Image formation in the scanning optical microscope" in the Electronic & Information Storage Systems Research Group, the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Manchester.

After my PhD I worked for GEC Plessey Semiconductors as a Design Engineer working on read channel designs for DVD systems. I returned to The University of Manchester as a Research Associate in the Electronic & Information Storage Systems Reearch Group in 1998. In 1999 I joined the University of Exeter as a research fellow before returning to Manchester in 2000 to become a Lecturer in the School of Computer Science. I was appointed to my current post of Reader in 2021.

My research interests centre on the use of thim magnetic films, tradiiotnally used for data storage applications, but applied to a variety of novel technological applications, including spintronic devices and THz emitters. In the past I have worked on areas ssociated with data storage, such as analysis of the readout process in optical, magneto-optical and magnetic data storage, as well as looking at data recovery processes in these systems. I'm also interested in nano-patterning of recording materials for use in advanced data storage systems, such as patterned media. I have built a number of instruments for the analysis of magnetic materiasl using MOKE and have developed other techniques, such as AHE, which offers improved sensitivity.

I also have interests outside of the magnetic materials arena, in particular Type 1 diabetes and approaches to improve blood glucose control through change in behaviours, where I work directly with medical professionals in this field.

I have also engaged with local SMEs  and have been involved with four KTP projects developing automotive diagnostic test systems, BACnet and Zigbee enabled control products, and improving hard disc recovery rates. Two of my KTPs have involved the same company, Titan Products.

I have recently secured research funding (in excess of £1M). One project is investigating the emission of THz pulses of radiation for spintronic sources, working jointly with the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The other is the second KTP award with a local SME, Titan Products, to develop wireless sensors and systems for the HVAC industry, working with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

I have been a member of the Nano Engineering & Storage Technology (NEST) Research Group since 1994.

I have supervised seven successful PhD students:

• Ioannis Ntokas (2006) - "The Analysis of Data Recovery Techniques for use with Patterned Media Storage".
• Matthew Manfredonia (2007) - "Simulation of Readout Signals in Near-field, Short Wavelength optical storage systems".
• David Devereux (2010) - "Control Strategies for Whole Arm Grasping" (jointly supervised with Dr Rob Richardson)
• Marios Alexandrou (2011) - "Magneto-optic Kerr and Hall Effect Measurements for the Characterisation of Bit Pattern Media"
• Yuanjing (Lizzy) Shi (2011) - "Investigations of Island Geometry Variations in Bit Patterned Media Storage Systems"
• Smaragda Zygridou (2016) - "Fabrication and characterisation of L1₀ Ordered FePt Thin Films and Bit Patterned Media" (jointly supervised with Prof Tom Thomson)
• Rhys Griffiths (2017) - "Anomalous Hall Effect Measurements of Bilayer Magnetic Structures"
• Charlotte Bull (2019) - "Fabrication and characterisation of magnetic nanostructures" (jointly supervised with Prof Tom Thomson)

I am a member of the following professional bodies:

• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
• Institue of Physcis (IoP)

I am treasurer of the IEEE UK and Ireland Magnetic Chapter.