I am a clinical academic who for more than 35 years has been intrigued by the conundrum of neuropathic pain.
I am Professor of Pain Research at Imperial College, London, UK. At Imperial, I lead an interdisciplinary research group interested in elucidating neuropathic pain in the context of infectious disease (HIV, Herpes Zoster, HTLV-1 and leprosy), diabetic neuropathy and limb amputation. Our current research activity embraces a variety of pre-clinical and clinical facets –enabling preclinical evidence synthesis and enhancing methodological rigour, through “deep phenotyping” of patients with a view to enabling precision medicine and understanding risk factors and on to clinical trials and evidence synthesis. I also enjoy collaborating with historians to uncover historical aspects of neuropathic pain.
Prior to being entrusted with the daunting responsibility of IASP President, I had the privilege of serving IASP members in a number of roles, including: IASP Councilor, liaison to South-East (ASEAPS) and South Asian Federations (SARPS) (continues) Federations, Chair of the Scientific Programme Committee for the 18th World Congress on Pain and of the Presidential Task Force on Cannabinoid Analgesia. In the more distant past, I held leadership positions in our Special Interest Group on Neuropathic Pain (NeuPSIG) and IASP’s UK Chapter, the British Pain Society.
Away from work, my family are very tolerant of my obsession with watching cricket and pretending to be an amateur historian. I also enjoy snow sports in winter and playing around on or in water the summer.
If you want to read more about what I do at work, please see my profile on the Imperial College London website.
Download my Incoming President’s Address from the 2024 World Congress on Pain >