Danny Banks

Professional Profile

He joined the University of Surrey, UK, as a PhD student in 1990, where he was jointly supervised by staff in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and the Biomedical Engineering Group. His research involved modelling and experimental investigation of the use of micromachined (silicon-based) microelectrodes to record neural signals from peripheral nerve trunks. He was awarded his PhD in 1995. Towards the end of 1994 he was employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Biomedical Engineering group, and was able to spend a further three years on this research.

From December 1997 to March 1999, he was employed as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany. His work involved the development of microfabricated devices for biochemical analysis of single cells. He was also involved in the promotion of artificial microstructures for applications in molecular biology, within the Lab.

Since the 13th of September 1999, Dr. Banks has been employed at Monisys; a small company specialising in emebdded systems, sensors, and instrumentation R&D. He is presently Technical Director.

During his career, Dr. Banks has gained experience and training in a number of specific areas. These include basic Biology, Physiology and Anatomy as well as in aspects of Molecular Biology. He has broad experience in the field of Microengineering (MEMS): a subject on which he has taught at MSc level, introduced at IEE meetings, and a textbook on the subject was published in 2006. He has also gained experience in microdevice design and fabrication, neurophysiological instrumentation, and mathematical modelling of the nerve. His research has necessarily involved a considerable collaborative element; both between University departments, and with external institutions. During his time at Monisys he has gained practical commercial expertise.

Other special skills include the ability to readily acquire, assimilate, and communicate technical information. See, for example, the introductory web pages on Microengineering (µ-eng in menu bar), or his publication on Neurotechnology (IEE Engineering Science & Education Journal, June 1998, p 135-144).

Dr. Banks also has a full complement of basic electronics skills, including: programming in C and machine code, familiarity with microprocessors, digital design, and programmable logic, analogue design, use of SPICE and VHDL, etc. He has also tutored undergraduate students in basic electronics, C programming, embedded systems (MSc level) and automotive electronics

Stimulated by his experiences in Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Banks is developing additional interests in multi-disciplinary scholarship and research. To this end he both edits and publishes a peer reviewed journal, New Thesis, which can be found on-line at: http://www.newthesis.org/

Dr. Banks is a Member of the IEE, a member of the Society for Experimental Biology, a member of the IEEE, and a member of Euroscience.