Christopher N. Parris

Christopher N. Parris is a Professor and Head of the School of Life Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Previously, he served as Head of the Biosciences Division at Brunel University. He holds a BSc in Biology from Nottingham University (1983) and a PhD in cell biology from University College London (1989). His research focuses on DNA repair mechanisms, cancer biology, and molecular diagnostics, particularly how DNA repair defects influence cancer susceptibility and therapy responses. He leads a thriving research group and has supervised 10 PhD students and 4 post-doctoral fellows.

Key research grants include projects on DNA repair biomarkers (£277,000, 2013-17), uveal melanoma genetics (£180,000, 2016-18), and antibody mechanisms (£123,000, 2018-19). His work spans experimental cancer treatments, diagnostic test development, and environmental health risk assessments. He teaches cell/molecular biology and cancer genetics at ARU.

Media engagements include a BBC interview on melanoma gene discoveries. He is affiliated with the Biomedical Research Group and the Association for Radiation Research, UK.