I am Professor within the Department of Neuroscience at the Central Clinical School, with an internationally recognised laboratory for the study of neurodevelopmental plasticity.  My laboratory uses extensive behavioural, epigenetic, imaging and neuropathological techniques to examine the influences of early experiences on long-term outcomes. We are particularly interested in understanding how early environmental manipulations (i.e. stress, drug exposure, diet) modify brain development and recovery from brain injury, as well as the risk for chronic pain and mental health disorders. In addition, we closely collaborate with the CCS departments of Gastroenterology and Immunology as part of the new GIN (Gastroenterology-Immunology-Neuroscience) initiative which is designed to further understand the gut-brain-immune axis and rapidly translate research from the bench to the bedside.