Silvia Cirstea is the Deputy Head of the School of Computing and Information Science at Anglia Ruskin University. With a PhD in Electronics (Imaging Technologies) and an MSc in Mathematics, she has over twenty years of research experience in mathematical and software modelling for imaging technologies, physics, engineering and medical applications. She is a member of The Institutions of Engineering and Technology (MIET) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her work includes projects funded by Innovate UK, the EU, UK Radiocommunications Agency and British industry. She has authored peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals and is an active reviewer for national research funding bodies from the UK and Europe. Her areas of expertise include data, signal and image processing; statistical, machine learning and AI methods; and numerical modelling and optimization of physical and industrial processes.
Michael Cole graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1986 with a degree in Natural Sciences. He then became the first Ph.D. bursary student to be supported by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where he developed his interest in phytochemicals and natural products as potential agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Having worked with colleagues at both Birkbeck College and Imperial College, University of London, he earned a Ph.D. in Natural Product Chemistry in 1990. Following a short spell in industry, he joined the Forensic Science Unit at the University of Strathclyde in 1991 as a short-course tutor. Following a permanent appointment at Strathclyde, and progressing through lecturing and senior lecturing posts, he became the Reader of Forensic Science and Director of the Forensic Science Unit in 2000. In 2001, he joined Anglia Ruskin University as a Professor of Forensic Science and Head of the Department of Forensic Science. He became the Deputy Dean for Research and External Income in the Faculty of Science and Engineering in 2014 and was interim Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) from March 2019 until September 2019; he supported the development of REF2021. He was the Dean of ARU Doctoral School from March 2020 to May 2022. He returned to the Forensic Science team in June 2022. His main research interests include drug chemistry; drug profiling and comparisons; drug toxicity; the development of analytical techniques for novel psychoactive substances; and fire and arson investigations.
