Born and raised in the Birmingham, I studied for a BSc (Hons) in Pathology, and MBChB (Hons) in Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. I trained in pathology at the University of Edinburgh Pathology Department where I studied for and was awarded a PhD in molecular pathology under the supervision of Prof Andrew Wyllie. I achieved MRCPath in 1994 and FRCPath in 2002.  I became a senior lecturer and honorary consultant in pathology at Edinburgh and then at the end of 1998 I moved to the University of Cambridge, where I was lecturer, senior lecturer, and reader in pathology as well as honorary consultant at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge for almost 15 years. In July 2013 I moved back to the University of Edinburgh as the professor of pathology and head of the division of pathology at the University of Edinburgh. My research interests are centred on colorectal cancer and gynaecological cancers, using both human specimens and laboratory models to study genetic changes that occur during tumour formation. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching pathology to medical and vet students at Fitzwilliam College as a Fellow and continue to do so as a Bye Fellow.