My most recent research focused on developing novel approaches for assessing human eye health through the measurement of macular pigment density. Drawing on fundamental discoveries in polarization vision, I invented a new method based on the perception of polarized light (Haidinger's brushes) to provide a rapid, non-invasive assessment of macular pigment, a key biomarker associated with risk of age-related macular degeneration and other age-related neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer's and age related cataracts). This work led to patented technology, the co-founding of the University of Bristol spin-out Azul Optics Ltd in 2016, and the development of the MP-eye, a CE-marked medical device now used by eye care professionals internationally. The commercialisation of this research was supported through the ICURe programme, a BBSRC Enterprise Fellowship, and Innovate UK funding, and was recognised with the BBSRC Innovator of the Year Award.

The foundations of this work lie in my broader interests in sensory biology, visual neuroscience, and visual ecology. I am particularly interested in understanding how animals acquire and process visual information, and how the evolution of sensory systems shapes behaviour and ecological interactions. My research has explored the physiological and functional significance of spectral sensitivity, retinal organization, and visual pigment adaptations across a diverse range of species, including fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and humans. 

A recent focus has been the study of polarization vision. Through behavioural, physiological, and optical approaches, my work has revealed how animals use polarized light for tasks such as navigation, communication, prey detection, and contrast enhancement. This research demonstrated that cuttlefish and octopus possess some of the most sensitive polarization vision known in the animal kingdom and helped establish new methodologies for studying polarized-light perception across taxa.

I have also investigated the mechanisms underlying visual pigment tuning and chromophore shifts, including the role of vitamin A1/A2 interchange systems in regulating spectral sensitivity. These studies have contributed to understanding how visual systems adapt to changing environmental conditions and ecological demands. Complementary work on retinal morphology and topography has examined how retinal structure influences visual performance and behaviour across species. 

More broadly, my research sits at the interface of visual ecology, comparative sensory physiology, neuroethology, psychophysics, and translational innovation.