I trained in Medicine at the Cambridge and Oxford Universities and have specialised in Respiratory Medicine with a clinical interest in Interstitial Lung Disease. The focus of my research is on the mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment to, and clearance from, the lung in both health and disease. My doctoral research was carried out in the Leukocyte Adhesion Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London, headed by Professor Nancy Hogg. This work examined the regulation of the integrin family of adhesion molecules on human T lymphocytes; with particular emphasis on the intracellular signalling events involved in, or resulting from, integrin activation on these leukocytes. This led to a further understanding of the mechanisms by which lymphocytes extravasate from the vasculature into the surrounding connective tissue. I then moved to LMCB at UCL to work with Alan Hall. My post-doctoral work addressed the role of leukocyte-epithelial cell interactions in regulating the recruitment and egression of inflammatory cell. Now based at UCL Respiratory my lab’s main interest is in leukocyte recruitment to the normal and inflammed lung with particular emphasis on potential means of regulating the numbers and phenotype of inflammatory cells recruited. It is hoped that an understanding of these mechanisms may lead to translational benefits in diseases as diverse as asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and infection, that are characterised by inappropriate, excessive or insufficient leukocyte influx. My group also has an interest in the regulation of epithelial integrity and polarity, which may have enormous implications in the fields of lung cancer, lung morphogenesis and repair of the damaged lung. Of particular interest is the link between chronic inflammation and lung cancer which although well recognised is not well understood. My clinical interests are in pulmonary fibrosis particularly in the context of underlying rheumatological disease, particularly dermatomyositis, scleroderma and lupus erythematosis and on the intensive care unit. I am involved in several clinical studies