Mike founded the Applied Optics Group in Nottingham and initiated the research work in Optics in the University. He has been investigator on two platform grants (one as PI, the other CI). His research spans optical microscopy and ultrasonics and is actively involved in presenting keynote and plenary papers at major conferences in both areas. In 2007 he co-founded the Institute of Biophysics Imaging and Optical Science (IBIOS) in the University, a truly interdisciplinary centre with engineers, chemists and biologists operating in shared laboratory and office space. In 2012 Mike was elected to a Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering, in recognition of his contribution to interdisciplinary research.