Liam is the Head of the Centre for Research in Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology and a Reader at the University of Hertfordshire.

He is a pharmacist by background and completed his undergraduate training and PhD at Queen’s University Belfast. Following industrial experience with Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and an EPSRC funded postdoctoral research position at UCL School of Pharmacy, Liam joined the University of Hertfordshire in 2008. Since then, he has undertaken several roles at Herts; most recently he was Head of Pharmaceutics before taking on his current position.        

Liam’s research interests largely centre around optimisation and characterisation of formulations to solve problems in drug delivery, particularly those involving drug delivery to skin or mucous membranes. Examples of current and recent projects include the development of polymeric film forming formulations to improve topical drug delivery and the use of heated systems to increase follicular drug absorption into the skin for the management of skin conditions such as acne and alopecia. Other projects involve improving understanding of how the clinical use of topical formulations can impact on drug delivery; for example examining how eczema patients should use topical corticosteroids and emollients in order to obtain optimal treatment outcomes.

Related interests include in improving understanding of stresses experienced by the skin and mucosa to improve health outcomes. For example a current project is investigating the effects of environmental stresses on skin barrier and oral health in competitive athletes, particularly swimmers.

Liam’s work has been funded by UK Research Councils, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and he has a wide range of academic collaborations. He acts as a consultant to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies and as an expert witness in patent and trade secret litigation.