My current role
My clinical practice is centred around the surgical management of patients with malignant brain tumours. I have a particular interest in using advanced brain mapping techniques through awake surgery and/or intraoperative neurophysiology. I introduced 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery into the Trust, and I still have the most experience of this method in the UK. I am interested in developing supra-maximal resection of glioblastomas. I also run the advanced image planning service using tractography and other imaging methods to improve the safety of tumour surgery.
My research role complements this clinical role. My research group tries to improve surgical care for patients by determining what should we be removing, what can't we remove and selecting which patients we should treat aggressively, and which we should not. I have a developing interest in rehabilitation for these patients.
I have an interest in teaching and training. I was the Training Programme Director of the East of England Neurosurgery Programme 2018-2022 and am a member of the Specialist Advisory Committee for neurosurgical training. I am a Fellow and Director of Studies for Clinical Medicine at Queens' College.
Previous history
I studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Medical College, London. I undertook basic surgical training in the East Midlands before starting neurosurgical training in Nottingham, Romford and Cambridge. I obtained my PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2007.
Before taking up my consultant appointment at CUH in 2008, I was a locum consultant at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.
I developed my research programme thanks to an NIHR Clinician Scientist Fellowship (2010-2015) and as the only surgeon to ever be awarded an NIHR Career Development Fellowship (2019-2024).
Membership and accreditations
- British Neuro-oncology Society - I am the current Vice President and will take over as President in 2027.
- European Association of Neuro-oncology - I am an Executive Board Member and the past chair of the Education Committee.
- Society of British Neurological Surgeons - I am a member of the Academic Committee and current lead for the British Neurosurgical Research Group.
- Society for Neuro-oncology
Personal interests
I enjoy cooking, reading and relaxing with family.