Phoenix read biochemistry and obtained his BSc degree from the University of Liverpool followed by completion of a doctorate, in biochemistry. He continued to study part-time and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Open University in mathematics. Further study generated a master's degree in education and later a master's degree in business administration. His contribution to the field of biochemistry was rewarded by the presentation of the degree of Doctor of Science from Liverpool University. This higher doctorate recognised his work into the importance of amphiphilicity in the localisation and function of bioactive molecules. He has published widely on the structure-function relationship of amphiphilic biomolecules, obtaining a Chair in Biochemistry in 2000. He has held Visiting Chairs in Russia, China, and Canada. In addition to peer-reviewed papers, edited collections and research monographs he has also been recognised for publication of undergraduate textbooks. And has been Editor in Chief for journals focused on education and for periodicals such as Biologist which are aimed at a broader readership.
Research
The group is multidisciplinary and draws on a range of specialties including, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics and computational modelling to help develop understanding of the structure function relationships used by amphiphilic bioactive molecules. The term ‘‘peptide-amphiphile’’ can be used to describe amphiphilic peptides consisting only of amino acids that show segregation of charged and uncharged components within the primary or secondary structure. Alternatively, they may be composed of hydrophilic peptides linked to hydrophobic alkyl chains or lipids, and peptide-based copolymers. Such molecules are of significant biological importance due to the range of asymmetric boundaries that occur in nature such as those found at a membrane lipid interface. Amphiphilic protein sequences can be involved in protein targeting, membrane protein assembly as well as membrane fusion and lysis. In addition to amphiphilic peptides possessing key biological functions amphiphiles are becoming of increasing interest in the creation of new biomaterials. Amphiphiles can self-assemble into a variety of different structures such as micelles, vesicles, monolayers, bilayers, nanofibers, nanotapes, ribbons, and twisted ribbons, to minimise unfavorable interactions with their surroundings. A key aspect of his work involves the development of bioactive peptides and new biomaterials with biomedical application.
Significant awards
2009 Awarded a D.Sc. by Liverpool University for his work in the field of Biochemistry.
His PhD work engaged his interest in the role amphiphilicity plays in driving the interaction of bioactive molecules with cell membranes. He was awarded a long-term fellowship by the European Molecular Biology Organisation which enabled him to investigate the importance of amphiphilicity in protein translocation at Utrecht University Centre for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology. He continued to work on amphiphilic helices, being one of the first to help characterise their role as membrane protein anchors. He later expanded this work to investigate the importance of structure-function relationships in the design of antimicrobial peptides. In 2000 he launched a new Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire and in 2002 he became Dean of Science and Technology when he launched a new School of Pharmacy. During this time he also remained the UK representative on the European Committee of Biological Associations and for a while was a Commissioner for Biotechnology. He remains an international advisor on higher education and science to the University of Guyana. In 2008 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for strategic planning and performance across the University of Central Lancashire group. In 2010 he created UCLan Biomedical Technology Ltd, a research institute based in Shenzhen, China, which focuses on areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering. As the inaugural Chair he oversaw the development of research collaborations with key Chinese universities such as Fudan University and Sichuan University. In 2012 he became Chair of UCLan Cyprus Ltd and provided the academic lead on the de novo creation of a private university in Larnaca, obtaining a licence to operate from the Ministry of Education with approval to initially run courses in business, languages, law, computing and mathematics. In 2013 he was selected to replace Martin Earwicker upon his retirement as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University. In 2014 he became Chair of , The Association for Modern Universities
