David joined us in Bristol as a ‘new blood’ lecturer, which was a Medical Research Council initiative to bring promising new scientists into developing departments to increase critical mass and support the development of important new directions in medical research. His role was to take forward research into our understanding of the relevance of neurotrophic proteins in Alzheimer’s disease. David established a research group that soon gained an international reputation, and in 1993 he was appointed to the post of Reader in Medicine.

He contributed major advances to our understanding of the molecular interactions between the neurotrophins and their receptors, especially nerve growth factor, as well as their role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Very importantly, he and his group also made significant advances in designing small molecules as potential therapeutic agents not only for Alzheimer’s disease, but also for the treatment of pain and asthma. 

He died in 2010.