Andy grew up in South London before studying for a degree and Ph.D. from the University of Bristol. His research involved using Small Angle Neutron Scattering and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to investigate polymer behaviour in confined spaces. This has a wide range of industrial applications such as paint, printer paper, toothpaste and even beer production.
After his Ph.D., he moved to Cambridge to work in publishing, first for the Royal Society of Chemistry and then for Cambridge University Press. He got to travel the world and meet a wide range of academics in a number of fields.
He then moved into teaching, completing his PGCE at the University of Cambridge and over the past 14 years he has taught in schools in the Cambridge area becoming a Head of Science and then an Assistant Principal before joining St Andrews.
In his spare time, he enjoys walking, travelling, and attempting to get fit with Pilates.