Background - James moved to Liverpool in 2006 after several years at University of Wales, Aberystwyth following a BSc in Biochemistry, PhD studies and postdoctoral work investigating helminth Phase II detoxification enzymes via biochemical, RNAi and proteomic technologies.
James continued helminth detoxification studies within a major consortium of groups ranging from across Europe to South America, studying drug resistance of the globally distributed zoonotic liver fluke Fasciola hepatica before beginning a lectureship at the School of Veterinary Science at University of Liverpool. With increasing interest in research-led education James joined LSTM in 2010 as Lecturer in Parasitology within the Education Dept. as the School embarked upon major development of learning and teaching in its aim to become an international leader in education.
Current roles - James’ serves as Director of Studies for Masters programmes in the area of Tropical Disease Biology, and as co-Director for the MSc ‘One Health in Tropical Disease’. From 2026, James will take up a co-Director of Studies role for the BSc programme ‘Global Infectious Disease’, awarded by Edge Hill University, and delivered in partnership with LSTM. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, member of the Learning & Teaching, and Quality Management Committees, James’ main activities are explicitly linked to the strategic development of policy in relation to Learning and Teaching at LSTM. James contributions to L&T were key in attainment of Independent Higher Education Institute (HEI) status, and Degree awarding Powers at LSTM.
Research - James’ research interests encompass both field and laboratory approaches to the study of several parasites. Focusing upon helminths, James undertakes field work in sub-Saharan Africa and the UK, to study helminth epidemiology, as well as employing molecular, biochemical and proteomic technologies at LSTM to investigate helminth epidemiology, detoxification, drug resistance, and establishment and maintenance of parasitic infection (ORCID ID number: 0000-0001-9261-7136).
Supervision - Alongside this focus, James supervises PhD students, MRes and MSc dissertation project students, provides academic leadership, facilitation and delivery of parasitology teaching at postgraduate and undergraduate levels as well as within a range of professional courses. Within this role his aim is to drive forward the development and use of innovative teaching techniques and resources aimed at creating engagement, understanding and enthusiasm amongst students.
External roles - Externally from LSTM, James serves in roles as External Examiner and Reviewer for BSc and MSc Biology programmes, and as External Examiner for PhD at viva voce at several UK Universities. James is also a regular invited guest lecturer for BSc and MSc programmes at several Higher Education institutes, and an invited speaker at several institutes and events, including the ‘All Party Parliamentary Group on Malaria and NTDs’ at the UK Houses of Parliament, the Annual Postgraduate Development Seminar at Trinity College Dublin, and for the One Health SDG Conference at University of Galway amongst others. In addition, James is an Online Tutor for training of the diagnosis of parasitological diseases at eMEDICINimage education program, funded by the EU and aimed at continuing professional development for scientists working in clinical laboratories. Furthermore, James is an Elected Council Member of the British Society for Parasitology (BSP), in the role of Honorary Meeting Secretary, supporting the organisation and delivery of the Society’s annual conferences and meetings. James also serves as an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) contact and representative for the BSP, as a member organisation of the Royal Society of Biology. James is also a member of the Editorial Board for ‘Parasitology’ Journal, and reviews scientific papers and grant funding applications for a range of journals and funding bodies.
LSTM teaching - James's specific involvement within LSTM’s teaching and learning portfolio is as follows:
- Director of Studies for MSc Degree Programmes:
- Module Convenor for the following MSc modules:
- TROP707 Human Parasitology & Vector Biology
- TROP714 Parasite Epidemiology & Control
- TROP736 Animal Parasitology
- TROP735 Principles of One Health
- TROP739 Applied Skills in Pathogen & Vector Research
- Lecturer on the following:
- MSc modules
- TROP720 Research Methods in Tropical Disease
- TROP715 Applied Bioinformatics
- TROP720 Outbreak Infection & Control
- TROP733 MSc Research Project Dissertation
- professional courses
- Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene
- Diploma in Tropical Nursing
- Short courses
- Laboratory Diagnosis of Faecal Parasites
- Laboratory Diagnosis of Blood & Faecal Parasites
- Tropical Pathogens & Disease Vectors for the Ministry of Defence
- MSc modules