Sensor100
talks to
Calum McNeil
-
Professor McNeil is lead or co-inves-
tigator on a number of the UK’s major sensor research projects
CV Snapshot
Current
Position
Professor of Biological Sensor Systems, Newcastle Univer-
sity
Education
BSc Chemistry, PhD Bioinorganic Chemistry, Strathclyde
University, Glasgow
Research
Interests
Electrochemical and microelectromechanical sensor
systems for clinical diagnostics. Sensor systems to moni-
tor and understand the role of reactive oxygen species in
disease processes.
Web site
S100:
Calum, science today is almost always multi disciplinary. Can we start by
asking how do you see yourself – biologist, chemist, engineer, physicist, or some-
where in between?
CMN:
I see myself as someone who can understand concepts from many
specialities and who then uses that understanding to deliver research
projects. I’m not too concerned about where my core expertise now lies. It’s
been a long time since I could say I was a chemist, so now I draw on what-
ever I need to ensure that projects are delivered to the best of my ability.
S100:
Let’s go back a couple of years to SmartHEALTH. What did you learn from
that project?
CMN:
Where do I start with SmartHEALTH? The first lesson was that aca-
demics should be banned from project management. Project management is
a skill, not a software package. It’s essential to employ a professional project
manager to run large projects with multiple partners. I was fortunate to
have iXscient Ltd. involved in SmartHEALTH – and now in d-LIVER. I also
learned that some partners have an agenda which won’t necessarily benefit
the project, but which you have to learn to manage in order to deliver for
everyone else.
Who’sWho in Sensors...
10
Sensor100 November News 2013
