BSc with Upper Second Class Honours in Biological Sciences, Wolverhampton Polytechnic, 1986. PhD in Lipoidal Species in Ocular Spoilation Processes, Aston University, 1990 1989 – date: Research Fellow, Biomaterials Research Unit, Aston University

Interaction of biomedical polymers with living biological systems in particular the biochemical analysis of spoilation processes including contact lenses, intra ocular lenses and the development of biomimetic polymers for prosthetic applications e.g. keratoprosthesis and spinal disc, analysis of biological interaction between prosthetic materials and their host environment in particular ophthalmic materials and tear fluid, spoilation and cleaning effects.

Ruengdechawiwat, S, Somsunan, R, Molloy, R, Siripitayananon, J, Franklin, VJ, Topham, PD & Tighe, BJ 2014, 'Controlled synthesis and processing of a poly(L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) copolymer for biomedical use as an absorbable monofilament surgical suture' . in Z Guo & J Xu (eds),Advanced Materials Research IV.Advanced materials research, vol. 894, Scientific.net, pp. 172-176, 4th International Conference on Advanced Materials Research, Macau, China, 22-23 January,10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.894.172 Sivan, SS, Roberts, S, Urban, JPG, Menage, J, Bramhill, J, Campbell, D, Franklin, VJ, Lydon, F, Merkher, Y, Maroudas, A & Tighe, BJ 2014, 'Injectable hydrogels with high fixed charge density and swelling pressure for nucleus pulposus repair: biomimetic glycosaminoglycan analogues' Acta Biomaterialia, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1124-1133,10.1016/j.actbio.2013.11.010 Viitala, R, Franklin, V, Green, D, Liu, C, Lloyd, A & Tighe, BJ 2009, 'Towards a synthetic osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis' Acta Biomaterialia, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 438-452,10.1016/j.actbio.2008.07.008 Tighe, B, Panaser, A, Franklin, V & Campbell, D 2009, 'Tear film lipids: dynamic composition and clinical performance' British Contact Lens Association, Birmingham, United Kingdom,27/05/10 -30/05/10 , . Tighe, B, Franklin, V, Lydon, FJ, Roberts, S, Urban, JPG & Savin, S 2008,Intervertebral disc, Patent No. GB 0807154.0, IPC No. A61L27/16.