Sarah obtained her BSc in Genetics at the University of Sheffield in 1995 and then went on to complete a PhD in Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Manchester in 1999.

She then had a series of short postdoctoral positions including a post at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Sarah joined the University of Bristol in January 2004 as a lecturer in Genetic Epidemiology and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2009. She has since been promoted to Professor of Molecular Epidemiology in 2021.

Her research interests are in using Mendelian Randomization to understand risk factors for cancer and to identify modifiable factors which influence in utero development and became involved in The Cleft Collective in December 2014.