David Andrew Phoenix
Encyclopedia
David Andrew Phoenix OBE
DSc
was born in 1966 in Greater Manchester
, England
. After attending school in Bolton
he progressed to study Biochemistry
at Liverpool University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. He remained at Liverpool
to complete his Doctorate on penicillin binding proteins
and after postdoctoral work in England and the Netherlands
he began work at the University of Central Lancashire
where he is now Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for areas of strategic planning and performance across the University group.
from Liverpool University. This higher doctorate recognised his work into the importance of amphiphilicity in the localisation and function of bioactive molecules.
He has published widely on the structure-function relationship of amphiphilic biomolecules, obtaining a Chair in Biochemistry in 2000. In addition to peer reviewed papers, edited collections and research monographs he has also been recognised for publication of undergraduate textbooks. He continues to sit on editorial boards and editorial advisory boards for approximately ten international scientific journals including for example, Protein Peptide Letters, Current Protein and Peptide Science, Molecular Membrane Biology and the International Journal for Nano and Biomaterials.
He has also been Editor in Chief of The Journal of Biological Education and of periodicals such as Biologist which are aimed at a broader readership.
status by the Royal Society of Chemistry
in the UK and later made a Fellow of the Society (FRSC). In addition he was recognised as a Chartered Biologist
and became a Fellow of the Institute of Biology
, (FIBiol). He also became recognised as a Chartered Mathematician and later advanced to Fellowship of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
. In 2007 he was recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine
. In 2008 his work in support of teaching was recognised by the award of a Senior Fellowship by the Higher Education Academy
.
Centre for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology. He continued to work on amphiphilic helices, being one of the first to help characterise their role as membrane protein anchors. He later expanded this work to investigate the importance of structure-function relationships in the design of antimicrobial
peptides. He was made a Reader in Biochemistry in 1998 and in 2000 was awarded a Chair in Biochemistry at the University of Central Lancashire
. From 1996-1999 he was a Visiting Professor in Bioinformatics
at Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI) where he began developing his interest in algorithms for identification of low homology repeat sequences.
In 1993, as a founder member of the Lancashire Centre for Medical Studies, his work with local NHS
Trusts was recognised by the award of a Visiting Consultants title by the Health Authority. He also continued to act as a consultant to pharmaceutical companies such as SmithKline Beecham.
In 2000 he launched a new Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire and became its inaugural head. For his work in this area, and support given, he was made a Distinguished Visiting Professor by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology
in 2004. He was successful in obtaining funds from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) in the UK to set up a National Knowledge Exchange focused on crime reduction in partnership with other Universities and business. He also provided the Regional Crime Lead for the Northwest on a HEFCE funded regeneration bid and advised the Sector Skills Council for Science Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology (SEMTA) on issues related to developing degrees in Forensic Science.
During 2002 he became Dean of Science and launched a new School of Pharmacy
. At this time he began developing links overseas with the aim of expanding higher education opportunity, especially in India
. He was invited to become a member of the D Y Patil Academic Council supporting a range of educational institutes in India such as the D. Y. Patil college of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur
. During this time he also remained the UK representative on the European Committee of Biological Associations (ECBA) and for a while was a Commissioner for Biotechnology
.
In 2008 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for strategic planning and performance across the University of Central Lancashire group.
Phoenix was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours.
by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
, a service which at the time came under the auspices of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. His work has tended to remain focused around the public understanding of science and education more broadly defined. He was appointed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
as a Trustee for the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
. He recently began work to support the new Darwen
Aldridge Community Academy as a Trustee and member of the Board. In 2009 he was appointed as an Ambassador to the Government Equalities Office
to support work focused on increasing diversity in public life.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
DSc
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
was born in 1966 in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. After attending school in Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
he progressed to study Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
at Liverpool University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. He remained at Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
to complete his Doctorate on penicillin binding proteins
Penicillin binding proteins
Penicillin-binding proteins are a group of proteins that are characterized by their affinity for and binding of penicillin. They are a normal constituent of many bacteria; the name just reflects the way by which the protein was discovered...
and after postdoctoral work in England and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
he began work at the University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...
where he is now Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for areas of strategic planning and performance across the University group.
Academic background
David Phoenix read Biochemistry and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Liverpool. This was followed by completion of a Doctorate, again in Biochemistry. He continued to study part time and went on to obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Open University which focused on mathematics. Further study generated a Masters in Education and later a Masters in Business Administration. His contribution to the field of biochemistry was rewarded by the presentation of the degree of Doctor of ScienceDoctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
from Liverpool University. This higher doctorate recognised his work into the importance of amphiphilicity in the localisation and function of bioactive molecules.
He has published widely on the structure-function relationship of amphiphilic biomolecules, obtaining a Chair in Biochemistry in 2000. In addition to peer reviewed papers, edited collections and research monographs he has also been recognised for publication of undergraduate textbooks. He continues to sit on editorial boards and editorial advisory boards for approximately ten international scientific journals including for example, Protein Peptide Letters, Current Protein and Peptide Science, Molecular Membrane Biology and the International Journal for Nano and Biomaterials.
He has also been Editor in Chief of The Journal of Biological Education and of periodicals such as Biologist which are aimed at a broader readership.
Professional recognition
He was granted Chartered ChemistChemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
status by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences." It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new...
in the UK and later made a Fellow of the Society (FRSC). In addition he was recognised as a Chartered Biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
and became a Fellow of the Institute of Biology
Institute of Biology
The Institute of Biology was a professional body for biologists, primarily those working in the United Kingdom. The Institute was founded in 1950 by the Biological Council: the then umbrella body for Britain's many learned biological societies...
, (FIBiol). He also became recognised as a Chartered Mathematician and later advanced to Fellowship of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications is the UK's chartered professional body for mathematicians and one of the UK's learned societies for mathematics ....
. In 2007 he was recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine
Royal Society of Medicine
The Royal Society of Medicine is a British charitable organisation whose main purpose is as a provider of medical education, running over 350 meetings and conferences each year.- History and overview :...
. In 2008 his work in support of teaching was recognised by the award of a Senior Fellowship by the Higher Education Academy
Higher Education Academy
The Higher Education Academy is an independent organisation in the United Kingdom that supports higher education institutions with strategies for the development of research and evaluation to improve the learning experience for students.-History:...
.
Career history
His PhD work engaged his interest in the role amphipilicity plays in driving the interaction of bioactive molecules with cell membranes. He was awarded a Long Term Fellowship by the European Molecular Biology Organisation which enabled him to investigate the importance of amphiphilicty in protein translocation at Utrecht UniversityUtrecht University
Utrecht University is a university in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Established March 26, 1636, it had an enrollment of 29,082 students in 2008, and employed 8,614 faculty and staff, 570 of which are full professors....
Centre for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology. He continued to work on amphiphilic helices, being one of the first to help characterise their role as membrane protein anchors. He later expanded this work to investigate the importance of structure-function relationships in the design of antimicrobial
Antimicrobial
An anti-microbial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antimicrobial drugs either kill microbes or prevent the growth of microbes...
peptides. He was made a Reader in Biochemistry in 1998 and in 2000 was awarded a Chair in Biochemistry at the University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...
. From 1996-1999 he was a Visiting Professor in Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Bioinformatics deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, software...
at Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI) where he began developing his interest in algorithms for identification of low homology repeat sequences.
In 1993, as a founder member of the Lancashire Centre for Medical Studies, his work with local NHS
National Health Service (England)
The National Health Service or NHS is the publicly funded healthcare system in England. It is both the largest and oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world. It is able to function in the way that it does because it is primarily funded through the general taxation system, similar to how...
Trusts was recognised by the award of a Visiting Consultants title by the Health Authority. He also continued to act as a consultant to pharmaceutical companies such as SmithKline Beecham.
In 2000 he launched a new Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire and became its inaugural head. For his work in this area, and support given, he was made a Distinguished Visiting Professor by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology is located in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The university shares its campus with Durham College. The university was founded in 2002 and accepted its first students in 2003, making it one of Canada's newest universities...
in 2004. He was successful in obtaining funds from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) in the UK to set up a National Knowledge Exchange focused on crime reduction in partnership with other Universities and business. He also provided the Regional Crime Lead for the Northwest on a HEFCE funded regeneration bid and advised the Sector Skills Council for Science Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology (SEMTA) on issues related to developing degrees in Forensic Science.
During 2002 he became Dean of Science and launched a new School of Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
. At this time he began developing links overseas with the aim of expanding higher education opportunity, especially in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He was invited to become a member of the D Y Patil Academic Council supporting a range of educational institutes in India such as the D. Y. Patil college of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur
D. Y. Patil college of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur
D.Y.Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur was established by the Padmashri recipient, Dr. D.Y. Patil in 1984 which is approved by All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi , Govt. of Maharashtra and affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur...
. During this time he also remained the UK representative on the European Committee of Biological Associations (ECBA) and for a while was a Commissioner for Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
.
In 2008 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for strategic planning and performance across the University of Central Lancashire group.
Phoenix was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours.
Public service
He was appointed to an advisory committee for the appointment of Justice of the PeaceJustice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Duchy of Lancaster
The Duchy of Lancaster is one of the two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Cornwall. It is held in trust for the Sovereign, and is used to provide income for the use of the British monarch...
, a service which at the time came under the auspices of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. His work has tended to remain focused around the public understanding of science and education more broadly defined. He was appointed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is a department of the United Kingdom government, with responsibility for culture and sport in England, and some aspects of the media throughout the whole UK, such as broadcasting and internet....
as a Trustee for the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, England, is a large museum devoted to the development of science, technology, and industry with emphasis on the city's achievements in these fields...
. He recently began work to support the new Darwen
Darwen
Darwen is a market town and civil parish located within Lancashire, England. Along with its northerly neighbour, Blackburn, it forms the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen — a unitary authority area...
Aldridge Community Academy as a Trustee and member of the Board. In 2009 he was appointed as an Ambassador to the Government Equalities Office
Government Equalities Office
The Government Equalities Office is a United Kingdom government department. It was created in October 2007 when the Women and Equality Unit, based within the Department for Communities and Local Government was converted into an independent department.It has lead responsibility for gender equality...
to support work focused on increasing diversity in public life.