Professor Ian Underwood is the project lead in MicroTex. He is an internationally recognised researcher, innovator, and entrepreneur, with a career spanning academia, industry, and technology commercialisation. His early work in photonics and visual displays led to the co-founding of MicroEmissive Displays (MED), where he played a central role in developing pioneering microdisplay technologies. His broader contributions to science and engineering have been recognised through fellowships of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Institute of Physics, among others.
Alongside his academic work at the University of Edinburgh, he has contributed to major interdisciplinary programmes and supported the development of multiple early-stage technology companies, helping to bridge the gap between research and application.
His work in MicroTex
As the Project Lead of MicroTex, Professor Underwood shapes the strategic direction of the programme—bringing his extensive experience in engineering, translation, and innovation to the challenge of making Phase-0 a clinical reality.
Professor Underwood’s experience in building technologies, leading interdisciplinary programmes, and supporting innovation ecosystems is central to MicroTex ambition. His leadership ensures that MicroTex is not only developing new tools, but also contributing to a broader shift in how therapeutic research is designed and delivered.