Following a near-fatal motorbike accident in 2011, during which he nearly lost a leg, he became passionate about improving support for people recovering from critical illness. He helped develop criticalcarerecovery.com, a website providing accessible information for people recovering from critical care and their families.

He also co-founded ICUsteps Edinburgh, a peer support group for people recovering from critical care, as well as their friends and family. Drawing on his lived experience, he has since contributed to a range of research projects, providing a Patient and Public perspective to help ensure research is relevant, accessible, and informed by the experiences of those it aims to benefit.

Janette has lived experience of macular degeneration, an eye condition affecting the macula at the back of the eye. She has previously contributed to Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) with the Scottish Collaborative Ophthalmology-Optometry Network eResearch (SCONe) project exploring the use of retinal images to detect eye diseases and other health conditions. Through this work, she has seen how meaningful public involvement can strengthen research by ensuring patients’ perspectives are represented and by helping communicate complex scientific concepts to wider audiences.

As a MicroTex Critical Friend, she brings this previous PPI experience to a new area of research, contributing lived experience and public perspectives to help shape the programme. Her background as an academic also enables her to support effective communication and engagement across diverse audiences. Se enjoys the opportunity to engage with new areas of research and contribute to the development of innovative approaches to therapeutic development.

 John has been actively involved in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) across a range of health research initiatives. He has contributed to the Scottish Collaborative Optometry-Ophthalmology Network eResearch (SCONe) project, sharing his lived experience of sight loss due to macular degeneration to help shape research exploring how routine eye examinations can contribute to broader public health.

In addition to his research involvement, John was elected as Scotland’s representative on the National Members’ Council of the Co-op in May 2025. Before retiring, he spent more than 30 years as a senior civil servant, working in both London and Edinburgh.

Drawing on his professional experience and lived experience as a patient, John brings valuable insight to MicroTex, helping ensure that research is informed by the perspectives and priorities of the people it aims to benefit.