Clive Beggs

Dr. Clive Beggs is Professor of Medical Engineering at the University of Bradford, where he leads a multi-disciplinary research team with interests in biomechanics, haemodynamics, biophysics, infection control and tissue engineering. He is both a mechanical engineer and a cell biologist, being a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Fellow of the Society of Biology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. Although an engineer, he has worked for many years in the field of applied microbiology and has an international reputation for his work in infection control - he is frequently invited to speak at scientific meetings and contribute to radio and television broadcasts. As both a biologist and an engineer, Prof. Beggs has been able to combine these disciplines to gain new insights into the behaviour of biological and physiological systems, something that has enabled him to pioneer the innovative application of engineering principles/technology to the control of infection in hospital - a field hitherto the domain of clinicians and microbiologists. He works closely with the NHS and is a member of the DoH Research Working Group on the Decontamination of Surgical Instruments.

Much of this work focuses on the interface between physics and biology, and this has enabled him to develop considerable expertise in the mathematical modelling of biophysical systems. In recent years he has worked on neurovascular related projects, modelling the hydrodynamic behaviour of the brain. In particular, he has undertaken research into venous haemodynamic abnormalities associated with multiple sclerosis, and has collaborated with researchers and clinicians at the University of Ferrara (Italy), the University of Buffalo (USA) and Wayne State University (USA).

In a previous life, Prof. Beggs was a consultant engineer specialising in the design and project management of large building services installations. During the initial stage of his research career (at De Montfort University and the University of Leeds) he built on this experience and developed a reputation for work on low energy building design and energy management. In 1998 he was awarded the Carter Bronze Medal by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers for his work on desiccant cooling. Although now an academic, Prof. Beggs has maintained close links with industry and is frequently consulted by commercial organisations regarding the development and application of products for the healthcare sector. In this capacity he has advised the BBC, Sharp electronics Plc, Dyson Ltd, Augustine Biomedical Inc, and IMI Plc, amongst others. Of particular note, Prof. Beggs was part of the research team that developed the groundbreaking Airblade hand drier for Dyson Ltd. Because of his close links with industry, he was invited in 2008 to become a member of the assessment panel for NHS Smart solutions for HCAI.