With his growing interest in taking gene therapy solutions into the clinic, David joined OXGENE in 2020 to head the Viral Design and Discovery grouping.  With over 15-years prior experience as a Principal Investigator and Senior Lecturer in infection and immunity at the University of Dundee, David has extensive expertise in the molecular pathogenesis of viral infections, the immunological response to infectious agents, and the use of viral vectors for gene transfer. David’s prime objective is to improve all aspects of viral vector design including yield, target tissue-specificity, immune evasion and transgene expression.  Through this combined effort his team aims to improve the efficacy and safety of viral vectors and thereby improve the availability and reduce the cost of access to these innovative therapeutic solutions.

At OXGENE, David is invested in helping his team of young scientists to develop their careers and exceed their goals – a motivation he carries from his time spent supervising PhD students in Dundee. He values the diversity of cultural backgrounds within his team as well as their enthusiasm for science. David feels inspired by the impact of scientific discovery and enjoys the continuous learning afforded by his role at OXGENE.

David enjoys hill walking with his sons and can often be found fishing for salmon and trout in the rivers of Scotland.