Chris French studied Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering at Massey University, New Zealand, then worked at the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute before undertaking a Ph.D. at the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge.
He is now Professor of Microbial Biotechnology in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, as well as a member of the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Joint Research Centre for Engineering Biology (JRCEB) in Haining, China.
His laboratory (frenchlab.bio.ed.ac.uk) conducts research in DNA assembly as well as applications of synthetic biology in biomass processing and biosensors. He is also Co-Chair of the Responsible Conduct Committee of the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM), and Scientific Advisor to Biotangents (www.biotangents.co.uk), a company specializing in development of veterinary diagnostic tests.
Professor French hopes to work with colleagues such as Dr. Kwabena Duedu of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana (https://sbbs.uhas.edu.gh/en/staff/staff-profile?view=project&id=41:dr-kwabena-o-duedu) , to develop new diagnostics for rapid detection and monitoring of infectious agents, as well as new processes for conversion of biomass to renewable fuels and feedstocks.