Dr Dave Roberts

Profile

I have BSc in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Cell Biology. As a post-doctoral fellow, I was based initially in the Department of Medical Oncology at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research in Manchester, working in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry on the development of novel anti-cancer agents. Subsequently, I moved to the University of Leeds Department of Radiotherapy and then, as a Senior Research Fellow, to the Leeds Centre for Photobiology & Photodynamic Therapy, where I worked on the biological mechanisms underlying PDT. I was appointed to a permanent lectureship in Anatomy in 1996, and ran a lab as a co-investigator in a large, programme-funded, multidisciplinary research group developing and investigating new PDT agents for over a decade before deciding to focus on anatomy teaching full-time. I have been a consultant to industry and was closely involved in supporting the spin-out of a venture-backed start-up company developing new PDT drugs.

I currently lead the Division of Anatomy in the Leeds Institute of Medical Education. I was co-founder of the CADSIM programme, a collaboration between the Division of Anatomy and Health Education England providing simulation-based training in advanced surgical techniques for consultant surgeons and senior trainees in the Yorkshire and Humber region. I continue to co-direct the programme with a consultant colleague based in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

I am the University’s Designated Individual for Anatomy under the Human Tissue Act and, as such, have legal responsibility for all activities using human remains for the purpose of anatomical education at the University. 

Responsibilities

• Head of the Division of Anatomy
• HTA Designated Individual for Anatomy
• BSc Clinical Anatomy Programme Lead

Research interests

I am interested in all aspects of clinical and surgical anatomy, and in the ethical and professionalism-related issues surrounding the use of donated cadavers in medical education and research.

Qualifications

• PhD Cell Biology
• BSc Biological Sciences

Professional memberships

• Member of the Anatomical Society
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Student education

I am Programme Lead for the BSc Clinical Anatomy intercalated programme, and lead two of the modules offered as part of the programme. I also teach gross anatomy to students in years 1, 3 and 4 of the MChD (Dental) programme.

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Medical Education