Ian is our chief engineer within the hub at the University of Hertfordshire. He specialises in electronics and software design, but also has decades of experience in product development. He has been responsible for the product development of the majority of the current bioaerosol detection solutions within Wolfson Centre for Biodetection & Instrumentation Research at the University of Hertfordshire.

What are you working on as part of the Hub?

I’m currently working on various methods of integrating aerosol collection with diagnostic assays into a portable unit.

What is exciting you the most about your current research? 

Generally speaking, solving technical problems is what excites me. This invariably means balancing the optimisations and compromises between different aspects of a problem to try and find an optimal solution within the design constraints. That continuous hunt to find a better solution is what engages me. I love taking on problems that I don’t currently know how to solve but think might be solvable. Luckily, I’m never short of challenges to look at!

What difference do you hope your research will make?

My role is largely to engineer technology to support the research team’s aims, so my main hope is that I can be successful in helping others achieve their goals.

What are you most proud of in your research career?

I’m not sure as that’s a long time to reflect on! But currently it’s great to see our hand-held electrostatic precipitators being used around the world for purposes not originally conceived.