I am privileged to be nominated for the Vice-President position of the UKEMS. UKEMS’s philosophy holds immense value for me, and it has been an indispensable part of my scientific journey. 

For those who are not familiar with me personally, I obtained my PhD (1989; sponsored by IAEA) from Banaras Hindu University, one of the top universities in India. I subsequently joined the Leiden University as a post-doctoral fellow. In 1993, I was offered a position at the ICI-Group Environmental Laboratory in Devon (later becoming part of AstraZeneca), and subsequently, they created an academic position for me at Plymouth (1996) where I rose to the position of full Professor (2010). Over the years, my academic, administrative, and professional experiences have equipped me with the necessary skills in teaching, and the application of research to enterprise and consultancy. 

Navigating the wider field of environmental mutagenesis, I embrace a multidisciplinary approach to explore emerging avenues and innovative ideas, driving the progression of science. My work has been supported by a range of funding agencies (e.g. EU, RCUK, industries and other organisations). In 2022, I was honoured and privileged to receive the prestigious Jim Parry Award from UKEMS. 

The quality of my work is also reflected in the standard of education, training, and employability of my students. I have supervised 28 PhDs (17 as DoS), examined over 35 PhDs and mentored numerous early career researchers. It brings me great personal satisfaction to educate, provide positive experiences and encouragement to young researchers. I also serve on different committees, as editorial board members of journals and share my research experiences through press and media. 

Since joining UKEMS (1993), I have served as an elected and co-opted committee member for multiple terms. I have been a regular participant in UKEMS conferences since 1994, as well as most of the EEMS (since 1995) and ICEM (since 1996) conferences (including 2023: Malaga; 2022: Ottawa), either as an invited speaker, session chair/ organizer and scientific committee member. I also had the privilege of organizing the 25th (2002) and the 38th UKEMS (2015), which also received support from government bodies (e.g. NC3Rs, DEFRA). With the resolute support of the UKEMS committee and its members, these conferences were organized to the highest international standards. In addition to my involvement in organizing numerous international conferences and workshops worldwide, supported by UKEMS, I also organized two important international conferences in Plymouth (2012: on environmental radioactivity; 2017: on nanotoxicology) to progress the science. 

Over the years, UKEMS has implemented several new initiatives, emerging as a strong society to propel the science globally. If elected, I will maintain an enduring vision to further strengthen its core vision, reinforce both its academic and industrial links, and promote productive interactions with other societies at both national and international levels. I will be committed to sharing the innovative work carried out by UKEMS members, ensuring that it reaches a wider audience, including through outreach activities for sustainability. I also envisage, triumphant organization of the 14th ICEM (2026) will be our immediate priority and I am confident, it will be accomplished magnificently. 

In summary, I firmly believe that my experience and collaborations with numerous institutions and societies worldwide uniquely position me to make valuable contributions in further strengthening UKEMS. Being part of the team will not only enable me to contribute to the advancement of this fascinating field of science but will also broaden my own perspectives and insights.