My first studies in biology included bird-ringing and collecting insects in the UK and China. I completed my BSc at Bangor University in Wales, followed by MSc from Shinshu University in Japan on beetles as environmental indicators of habitat disturbance. I also studied hornets, which led to my PhD where I developed my interests in social insects, which was furthered when I returned to Japan to conduct research into the population dynamics of hornets on a small sub-tropical island. On returning to the UK, I worked for the National Bee Unit for seven years researching the pests and pathogens of honeybees, where I became internationally known for my work in the parasitic Varroa mite. I then returned to University and spent 12 years at Sheffield elucidation chemical recognition systems in social insects and continuing my work into honeybee pathogens mainly in Hawaii. In 2012, I moved over to the University of Salford in order to continue my research and help educate the next generation of scientists.