Nick completed his PhD in St. Andrews University in Scotland, UK before research postdocs in St. Andrews, Dundee and Sydney Australia. Nick has a background in muscle development and physiology, limb development and MND/ALS research. Nick began his own research laboratory in The University of Sydney, modelling ALS/MND in zebrafish before helping to establish the MND Research Centre at Macquarie University, Sydney. Nick returned to the UK with his family (and dog ‘Vegemite’) to take up his position as Head of Research at the MND Association in 2018. Nick is a keen Kitesurfer and previous Guiness world record holder after his ‘kitethereef’ MND fundraiser in 2015.

As Head of Research, Nick’s role involves leading the team responsible for The MND Associations International Symposium on MND/ALS and event for early career researchers (Encourage UK). He also oversees the Research Communications team and represents the research directorate of the MND Association at various events, which includes standing in for the Director of Research as required. He is also a member of the the International Alliance Scientific Advisory Council and the UK Clinical Studies Group.