John Walshaw studied Biology with Computer Science at the University of Southampton, before gaining a doctorate from the University of London (Birkbeck College) where he researched computational modelling of protein-solvent interactions. At Birkbeck he also worked on a ground-breaking Internet-mediated training course on protein structure, before moving back into research on protein structural bioinformatics at the University of Sussex. Subsequently he took up a post at the John Innes Centre as a specialist in computational molecular biology, where he was also involved in the UEA's MSc in Bioinformatics. He has recently joined the Institute of Food Research as a Senior Bioinformatician in the Gut Health and Food Safety programme, and maintains collaborations with several UEA research Schools.