Director Biological Resources
CurrentOver a 37 year career developed expertise in the operation and management of living microbial resource collections, preservation technology and development of operational procedures for BRCs. Became Curator of CABI Genetic Resources Collection in 1987. Research areas include the freeze-drying of microorganisms, the optimisation of cryopreservation techniques and cryogenic light microscopy for fungi. Have a keen interest in policy concerning microorganisms access, handling and use, codes of practice for working within the Convention of Biological Diversity and the production of Quality Management Systems for Microbial Resource Collections. Appointed Director of Biological Resources in 2006 as consultant and advisor to CABI’s Bioservices, which maintains a collection and offers services in identification, industrial microbial and environmental testing and a small research team. Played a key role in the OECD Biological Resource Centre (BRC) Initiative Task Force, seconded to Germany as General Manager of the Global Biological Resource Centre Network (GBRCN) Demonstration Project Secretariat and immediate past President of the World Federation for Culture Collections WFCC (2004-2010). Elected Fellow of the Society of Biology.
