David Phoenix

David Andrew Phoenix OBE DL FRSC FAcSS (born 1966) is an English biochemist and Chief Executive of London South Bank University.[1][2]

David Phoenix

Born
David Andrew Phoenix

(1966-02-26) 26 February 1966
Alma materUniversity of Liverpool
Open University
Known forPeptide-lipid interaction; function of antibacterial peptides
AwardsOrder of the British Empire 2010
Academician, Academy of Social Sciences 2012
Deputy Lieutenant 2015
Friendship Award (China) 2016
Scientific career
FieldsBiochemistry/Biophysics/Molecular engineering
InstitutionsUniversity of Liverpool
University of Utrecht
University of Central Lancashire

Academic background

Phoenix read biochemistry at the University of Liverpool followed by completion of a doctorate on amphiphilic membrane protein anchors. He studied part-time to obtain a degree in mathematics from the Open University and moved into the field of molecular engineering. He has published widely on the structure-function relationship of amphiphilic biomolecules,[3] obtaining a Chair in Biochemistry in 2000. His work is multidisciplinary and focuses on the understanding of the structure function relationships used by amphiphilic bioactive molecules.[4] He is especially known for his work on the design of antimicrobial peptides [5] which led to the award of a Higher Doctorate by Liverpool University. He has held Visiting Chairs in Russia, China, Canada and the UK, including King's College London and Sichuan University.

In addition to peer-reviewed papers, edited collections and research monographs he has also been recognised for publication of undergraduate textbooks and has written widely on the development of technical education and skills. He was elected to the Academy of Social Sciences for this work.[6]

He has an been involved in STEM communication and outreach as Editor in Chief for journals such as Biologist which are aimed at a broader readership and as Vice Chair of the Science Museum Group and Chair of the Museum for Science and Industry.

Significant awards

Professional recognition

He was granted Chartered Chemist 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 and is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. In 2008 his work in support of teaching was recognised by the award of a Senior Fellowship[13] by the Higher Education Academy and later advanced to Principal Fellow

Career history

His PhD work engaged his interest in the role amphiphilicity 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 amphiphilicity in protein translocation at Utrecht University 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.

In 2000 he launched a new Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire and in 2002 he became Dean of Science and Technology when he launched a new School of Pharmacy. 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. He remains an international advisor on higher education and science to the University of Guyana.

In 2008 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for strategic planning and performance across the University of Central Lancashire group. In 2010 he created UCLan Biomedical Technology Ltd, a research institute based in Shenzhen, China, which focuses on areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering.[14] As the inaugural Chair he oversaw the development of research collaborations with key Chinese universities such as Fudan University and Sichuan University. In 2012 he became Chair of UCLan Cyprus Ltd and provided the academic lead on the de novo creation of a private university in Larnaca, obtaining a licence to operate from the Ministry of Education with approval to initially run courses in business, languages, law, computing and mathematics.[15]

In 2013 he was selected to replace Martin Earwicker upon his retirement as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University.[16] In 2014 he became Chair of MillionPlus, The Association for Modern Universities [17]

Public service

He was appointed to an advisory committee for the appointment of Justice of the Peace 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,[18] and since 2018 has been its Chair as it transitioned to the Science and Industry Museum.

In 2015 was appointed by the Prime Minister to the Board of the Science Museum Group,[19] where he later became Vice-Chair. He has been a Trustee of both public and independent secondary schools and created South Bank Academies Trust in South London leading it first as Chair then as a Director. In 2009 he was appointed as an Ambassador to the Government Equalities Office to support work focused on increasing diversity in public life.

References

  1. "Prof Dave Phoenix, OBE". Debretts.com. Debrett's. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  2. "Professor David Phoenix took up the role of Vice-Chancellor at London South Bank University (LSBU) in 2014". London South Bank University. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  3. "David Andrew Phoenix (London South Bank University, London) on ResearchGate - Expertise: Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry". Researchgate.net. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  4. "Bioactive Molecules Group | University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom". Nanobiophys.wordpress.com. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  5. "Antimicrobial Peptides, Wiley Publishers 2013". Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  6. "Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences". Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  7. "No. 59446". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2010. p. 12.
  8. "Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences". Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  9. "University announces July honours | University of Bolton". Bolton.ac.uk. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  10. "Fellow of Royal College Physicians (Edinburgh)". 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  11. "Greater London Lieutenancy". 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  12. "Phoenix given China Friendship Award". 26 September 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  13. "Seniorfellows". Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  14. Elledge, Jonn (6 August 2012). "Britain, where you can get a flat-pack campus". The Guardian.
  15. Elmes, John (24 August 2013). "LSBU to take orders from Phoenix | Times Higher Education (THE)". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  16. Morgan, John (18 May 2015). "South Bank head Dave Phoenix to be new Million+ chair | Times Higher Education (THE)". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  17. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. "New Trustees to join Science Museum Group Board". Sciencemuseum.org.uk. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
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