I'm a virologist and microbiologist working on AI safety at Google DeepMind, within the CBRNe team. My job is mitigating AI-associated biological risks.
Before that I spent nearly seven years at the UK Health Security Agency at Porton Down, latterly as a group leader. Experience across a range of high-consequence pathogens in public health, biodefence, surveillance, and research.
Interests in all things AI, zoonoses, high-consequence pathogens, diagnostics, and technology — and all things microbial, not just the viruses.
Part of the CBRNe team within Responsible Development and Innovation (ReDI), covering AI-associated risks in microbiology.
Biological risk assessment paired with threat modelling — evaluations, red-teaming, and mitigations for LLMs, AI models and agentic workflows across all Alphabet surfaces.
Led 13 staff developing and validating serology methods (ELISA, Luminex, MSD, LFD) for emerging pathogens including mpox, Lassa, and Nipah. Lead on UKVN and UKRI funding applications.
Implementation and evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 serology for serosurveillance and vaccine studies. Over 1.3 million tests; data fed national modelling and JCVI/DCMO policy. Established the laboratory as a permanent UKHSA group.
Development and validation of diagnostics for ACDP 2, 3 and 4 pathogens, including arboviruses and viral haemorrhagic fevers. Part of the RIPL 24/7 on-call team.
"Understanding the role of Rv1255c, a TetR transcriptional regulator encoded in the RD13 region of Mycobacterium tuberculosis"
First-class honours, with industrial placement year.
Advisory, editorial, and teaching positions held alongside the day job.
The bits that aren't on the CV.
What started off during my early years, and still ongoing. Love an epic build.
Always enjoyed coding, but wanted to automate the boring bits of science. Started most of the projects on random stuff I knew we'd be able to automate somehow!
Enjoy a mountain or two. Favourite hike (so far) — South Valley loop at Yosemite. But that almost broke me.
Love most things gaming, and a sucker for Fallout, or shoot 'em ups like Halo. Wort wort wort!!