Born 1966 in North Shields, UK. Study of Physics and Theoretical Physics at University of Cambridge, UK, doctorate in Astrophysics at the University of Leicester (1992). Research Associate at University of Cambridge (1992-1995), Resident Research Associate and Research Scientist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (1995-2002), Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London (2002-2005). Professor of Astrophysics (2005-2010) and Head of Astrophysics Group (2007-2010) at Imperial College London. Director and Scientific Member Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (since 2010).