Inaugural Lecture: John Allen, Professor of Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation

The Power of Light in Microvascular Sensing and Assessment.

Subtle changes in our vascular systems can be linked to early-stage disease: including diabetes, cancer, autoimmune conditions and vascular ageing. Modern sensing technologies have great potential to study the vasculature. For example, with light, we can use vascular optics to probe tissue structure, tissue function and blood flow. Furthermore, we can measure heart rate and oxygen saturation, assess ageing and even detect or rule out disease.

In his upcoming inaugural lecture - ‘The Power of Light in Microvascular Sensing and Assessment’ - Professor John Allen will discuss state-of-the-art vascular optics and biosensing technologies and their clinical application to assess the small blood vessels of the body in health and disease. John will also look at the challenges and opportunities with modern wearable sensors for a range of vascular applications.

John Allen, Chair in Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation at the Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, started his career working in instrumentation and control engineering before moving into biomedical engineering after studying for a master’s degree in Bioengineering at Strathclyde University. In 1989 he joined the NHS and Northern Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering department at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, he established its Microvascular Measurement Service as lead Clinical Scientist. John has a PhD in Photoplethysmography (PPG), and holds a personal honorary Readership with Newcastle University. He is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Scientist, state registered Clinical Scientist, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, and a Member of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.

Watch John Allen's Inaugural Lecture 'The Power of Light in Microvascular Sensing and Assessment'.