David Phoenix

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David Phoenix
Born
David Andrew Phoenix

(1966-02-26) 26 February 1966 (age 58)
Education University of Liverpool
Open University
Known forPeptide-lipid interaction; function of antibacterial peptides
Awards Order of the British Empire 2010
Deputy Lieutenant 2015
Friendship Award (China) 2016
Scientific career
Fields Biochemistry/Biophysics/Molecular engineering
Institutions University of Liverpool
University of Utrecht
University of Central Lancashire

David Andrew Phoenix OBE DL FREng FAcSS (born 1966) is an English biochemist and Chief Executive of London South Bank University. [1] [2]

Contents

Academic background

Phoenix read biochemistry at the University of Liverpool then studied part-time to obtain a degree in mathematics from the Open University before moving into the field of molecular engineering. His work remains multidisciplinary and he has published widely on the structure-function relationship of amphiphilic biomolecules, [3] obtaining a chair in Biochemistry in 2000. He is especially known for his work on the design of antimicrobial peptides [4] which led to the award of a Higher Doctorate by Liverpool University. He has held Visiting Chairs in Russia, China, Canada and the UK, including King's College London and Sichuan University.

In addition to research papers, edited collections and research monographs he has written widely on the development of technical education and skills.[ citation needed ] He was elected to the Academy of Social Sciences for this work. [5]

He has been involved in STEM communication and outreach as Editor in Chief for journals such as The Biologist (Royal Society of Biology) that are aimed at a broader readership and as Vice Chair of the Science Museum Group and Chair of the Museum for Science and Industry.

Significant awards

Professional recognition

He was granted Chartered Chemist, Chartered Biologist and Chartered Mathematician status. Phoenix was given Fellowships by the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB), the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. (FIMA), the Royal Society of Medicine and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET). His work in support of teaching was recognised by the award of a Senior Fellowship [12] by the Higher Education Academy and later advanced to Principal Fellow. Phoenix represented the UK on the European Committee of Biological Associations (ECBA) and was a Commissioner for Biotechnology.

Career history

He was awarded a long-term fellowship by the European Molecular Biology Organisation which enabled him to investigate the importance of amphiphilicity in protein translocation at Utrecht University Centre for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology. He continued to work on amphiphilic helices, being one of the first to help characterise their role as membrane protein anchors and identifying key design features of bioactive peptides.

He was the Inaugural Head of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire and later as dean of science and Technology he launched new Schools of Pharmacy and of architecture. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor he setup UCLan Biomedical Technology Ltd, a research institute based in Shenzhen, China . [13] and oversaw the development of research collaborations with key Chinese universities such as Fudan University and Sichuan University in areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering. In 2012 he became Chair of UCLan Cyprus Ltd and provided the academic lead on the de novo creation of a private university in Larnaca, obtaining a licence to operate from the Ministry of Education with approval to initially run courses in business, languages, law, computing and mathematics. [14]

In 2013 he was selected to replace Martin Earwicker upon his retirement as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University, [15] later obtaining Ministerial approval to create the LSBU Group which includes London South Bank Technical College, the first comprehensive technical college for a generation and a new technical sixth form.

He served as Chair of MillionPlus, The Association for Modern Universities [16] and has also been a Non-Executive Director on Universities UK, the National Center for Universities and Business and London Higher.

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References

  1. "Prof Dave Phoenix, OBE". Debretts.com. Debrett's. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  2. "Professor David Phoenix took up the role of Vice-Chancellor at London South Bank University (LSBU) in 2014". London South Bank University. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  3. "David Andrew Phoenix (London South Bank University, London) on ResearchGate - Expertise: Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry". Researchgate.net. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  4. "Antimicrobial Peptides, Wiley Publishers 2013" . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  5. "Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences" . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  6. "No. 59446". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2010. p. 12.
  7. "Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences" . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  8. "University announces July honours | University of Bolton". Bolton.ac.uk. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  9. "Fellow of Royal College Physicians (Edinburgh)". 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  10. "Greater London Lieutenancy". 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  11. "Phoenix given China Friendship Award". 26 September 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  12. "Seniorfellows". Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  13. [ dead link ]
  14. Elledge, Jonn (6 August 2012). "Britain, where you can get a flat-pack campus". The Guardian .
  15. Elmes, John (24 August 2013). "LSBU to take orders from Phoenix | Times Higher Education (THE)". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  16. Morgan, John (18 May 2015). "South Bank head Dave Phoenix to be new Million+ chair | Times Higher Education (THE)". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
Academic offices
Preceded by Vice-Chancellor of
London South Bank University

2014–present
Incumbent
Professional and academic associations
Preceded by
Michael Gunn
Chair of MillionPlus
2015–present
Incumbent