Dr Mark Dickinson graduated in Physics from the University of Manchester in 1981 and carried on to research into multi-oscillator ring laser gyroscopes for his PhD in 1984. He was appointed as lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy in 1989. His research covers a number of areas, the core of which is Laser Physics. More recently he has been specialising in medical and biological applications of lasers. Recent projects include laser tweezing, blood flow measurements in the microcirculation, laser nerve stimulation for human pain studies, optical coherence tomography and a range of dental applications for lasers. He has worked in collaboration with a number of medical/dental groups and has been involved with industrial partners, including University spin-off companies. Dr Dickinson is an author, member and one of the key organisers of the new Photon Science Institute at the University of Manchester.