Leadership Roles
| 2019 to Date | Director of Community Deliberation Network |
| 2018 to Date | Director of RSA-US network: Deliberation Gateway |
| 2015 to 2016 | Local Co-ordinator for 38 Degrees, Cambridge UK |
Academic Appointments
| 2017 to Date | Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA, Project Scientist. Spidroin simulation, Implementing computation in chemical media, Automated exploration of chemical phases using machine learning, Application of non-equilibrium driving forces to chemical systems. |
| 2016 | University of California, San Diego, USA, Assistant Project Scientist, Automated exploration of emergent properties due to frustration in self-assembling hierarchical biomaterials. |
| 2016 | University of Sussex, UK, Sussex Neuroscience, Research Associate, Lab equipment construction. |
| 2012 to 2016 | Cambridge University, UK, Department of Chemistry, Research Associate, Energy landscapes of amyloid and collagen. |
| 2009 to 2012 | Cambridge University, UK, Institute for Manufacturing, Research Associate, Modulating protein graphite interactions with FIB. |
| 2005 to 2009 | Cambridge University, UK, Department of Chemistry, PhD, Towards the control of the morphology of amyloid fibres displaying electron transfer proteins. |
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Commercial Appointments
| 2002 to 2004 | QinetiQ, Centre for Atmospheric Propagation, Software Engineer, Nowcasting electron density in troposphere using GPS tomography. |
| 2002 | DSPace Pty, Australia, Software Engineer developing the transmit chain for mobile satellite modem. |
| 1999 to 2002 | QinetiQ, Advanced Communications Technology, Software Engineer. Engineering signal geolocation systems. |
| 1996 to 1999 | Marconi-Avionics, Radar Systems Division, Summer Internships, Radar algorithm development and documentation. |
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Degrees
| 2005 to 2009 | Biophysics, PhD, Cambridge University. |
| 2004 to 2005 | Nanotechnology, MPhil, Cambridge University. |
| 1996 to 1999 | Mathematical Physics, MPhys, Edinburgh University. |
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Teaching Experience
| 2007 to 2020 | Tutorials, Project Supervision, Lecturing, Examinations. |
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Academic Appointment History
2017 Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, Prof Nathan Gianneschi, Project Scientist
2016 University of California, San Diego, Prof. Nathan Gianneschi, Assistant Project Scientist
2016 University of Sussex, Sussex Neuroscience, Dr Tom Baden, Research Associate
2012 to 2016 Cambridge University, Department of Chemistry, Research Associate
 | Using Prof. David Wales energy landscape techniques I performed atomistic simulation of collagen to investigate the effects of proline hydroxylation on puckering and flexibility and investigated the mechanical role of proline to alanine mutations in the collagen. |
| Using similar techniques I also studied amyloid fibre morphology and discovered a frustration design principle that could recreate the observed range of morphologies of decorated amyloid fibres. |  |
Additional Roles:
- Supervised a PhD student studying bacterial micro-colony morphology with
machine learning. - Departmental scanning probe microscopist adept at a range of probe microscopy techniques including: AFM, STM, KFM, EFM.
- Held a position on steering committee for Synthetic Biology Strategic Research Initiative.
- Regular panelist for the Advanced Leadership Program in which I presented a short talk to captains of industry concerning the convergence of additive manufacturing and synthetic biology and the role they will play in the transition to a circular economy.
2013 Nanoforum Senior Fellow, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge University
2010 to 2012 Research Associate, Cambridge University, Institute for Manufacturing.
Working with Prof. Bill O’Neill I investigated the effect of gallium doping on the topology and work function of graphite with the intention of controlling the mechnical and electrical interaction between proteins and the carbon surface. The colours in the image refer to the surface potential and the height to the topology of the surface.
I also helped develop the foundations for a strategic framework for mainstream biomimetic manufacturing called Naturally Inspired Manufacturing.
Commercial Appointments
2002 to 2004: QinetiQ Level 4 Scientic Engineer, Center for Atmospheric Propagation.
I contributed to a number of projects in my time at CPAR including projects to map ionospheric electron density using GPS tomography, statistical analysis of weather induced fast fading in mobile communications and I led the software team in the field trials of novel communications equipment.
2001: DSpace Pty, Australia. Three month placement.
I helped design and code the transmit chain software for a DSP/FPGA architecture mobile satellite modem.
1999 to 2001: QinetiQ, Advanced Communications Technology, level 3 engineer.
I contributed to a number of projects including writing and designing software for a semi-automatic satellite geolocation system (satID). I also investigated how to improve the accuracy of signal geolocation using a multi-reference signal approach. I learned how to do software engineering in a commercial setting using C.
1996 to 1999: GEC-Marconi Avionics, Radar Systems Division.
In this internship I helped design radar signal processing algorithms and managed documentation for a lightweight radar system for fighter aircraft.
Degrees
2005 to 2010 PhD, Cambridge University, Department of Chemistry
Working with Dr Paul Barker, my thesis was entitled “Towards Control of the Morphology of Amyloid Fibres“. I explored the possibility of dynamically adjusting morphology in amyloid fibres by modifying the conformation of electron transport proteins that were integrated into the fibre structure. I also used STM to probe the electrical properties of amyloid fibres to see if we could detect the electro transport centers and I began the coarse grain simulation leading to the discovery of a design principle for amyloid. I acquired skills in protein engineering and characterisation of soft matter using AFM, TEM, STM and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
2004 to 2005 MPhil in Micro and Nanotechnology with Enterprise, Department of Materials, Cambridge University,
I achieved a distinction in a taught masters program exploring the foundations of nanotechnology as well as attending courses in basic entrepreurial training including finance, marketing and biotechnology modules. My dissertation was entitled “Commercial Applicability of Nanoparticles in Battery Systems”.
1995 to 1999 MPhys, Mathematical Physics, Edinburgh University.
A comprehensive grounding in mathematical methods of theoretical physics with specialisations in particle theory in my final year. My final year project was entitled “Coupling Constant Unifcation in Grand Unified Field Theory“. 2:1.
Teaching Experience
2016 to 2020 Introduction to AFM microscopy
2010 to 2015 Training manager of Department scanning probe microscope.
2010 to 2015 Manufacturing Engineering Tripos II, Can iPods Grow on Trees?
2013 Theory Sector Seminar Series: Introduction to Catastrophe Theory.
2013 Bionanotechnology Lecture Series: Quantum Biology and The Science of Bone.
2012 Supervisor for nanoDTC mini project: Sustainable Biomimetic Materials.
2010 Examiner for Nanotechnology with Enterprise MPhil.
2010 Authored and presented 8 lecture series on bionanotechnology.
2007 Supervisor Part III physics – Soft Matter and Biological Physics.
Chris Forman, PhD, FRSA 