Profile

Qualifications: BSc Hons Pharmacy, University of Strathclyde (1993); Masters in Public Health, University of Nottingham (1997); Certificate in Advanced Academic Studies, University of Strathclyde (2006); Doctor of Philosophy, University of Strathclyde (2010).

I hold a joint NHS-university appointment and so spend 30% of my time as a Specialist Psychiatric Pharmacist in Child Psychiatry at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow. Before coming to Strathclyde I worked as a Clinical Pharmacist in Psychiatry and before that as a Research Assistant at Edinburgh and Keele universities.

I teach on a variety of classes on both the MPharm and Clinical Pharmacy MSc courses and supervise projects for both degrees. I am also the seminar co-ordinator for the Medicines Use and Health research group. My professional membership includes:

• General Pharmaceutical Council
• Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Higher Education Academy (Fellow)
• College of Mental Health Pharmacists
• Scottish Pharmacy in Mental Health (SPMH) (past committee member)

My research is mainly concerned with optimising the use of psychotropic medication in children with mental health problems. I am also interested in wider issues associated with pharmacy practice within the mental health/substance misuse and health promotion areas. I also have experience of NHS guideline development and was actively involved in the recent Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline No 112. Management of ADHD in Children & Young People (Oct 2009).