BIOGRAPHYProfessor Walter Johnstone PhD, BSc (Hons), CEng, FIET, CPhys. FInstP Prof. Walter Johnstone is currently the Research Professor of Photonic Systems in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (EEE) at Strathclyde University where he has been a member of academic staff since 1986. Prior to his current status, he held senior management positions as Deputy Head then Head of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (2006-11) followed by appointment to the posts of Associate and then Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2011-16). He is also a founding director of the Spin-out Company, OptoSci Ltd (1994 -).His research into optical waveguide components, fibre lasers, distributed fibre sensing systems and optical gas sensing has led to more than 200 technical publications and several patent applications. As well as carrying out basic research, his group are involved in the engineering of such systems for in situ industrial deployment. His recent research activity focuses on laser spectroscopy for the measurement gas concentration, pressure and temperature in extreme environments such as in aero (gas turbine) engines and fuels cells at high temperatures. In addition to his academic career, Prof. Johnstone is a founding director of OptoSci Ltd. OptoSci was established in 1994 and major product lines include a range of optical and fibre optic educator kits, optical instrumentation, optical fibre amplifiers and a range of optical gas sensors.