Prof Tim Atkins is the Dstl Senior Fellow within the CBR division of the Defence Science and Technical Laboratory at Porton Down. Educated at Aberdeen University as an undergraduate he went on to complete a PhD at Imperial College London. Prof Atkins is the senior scientist with the division overseeing the technical content of the research programme. He is specifically responsible for the content of a programme of work to develop novel medical countermeasures (MCM) to biothreat agents and is the Lead Technical Reviewer for the majority of the programme. The biological MCM programme covers a range of technical specialisms including pre- treatments and therapies, bacterial and viral biothreat agents, high containment working and the development of animal models of infection. Prof Atkins’ has expertise in research and development of medical countermeasures to biothreat agents and extensive linkages to external academic and industry groups working in this area. Previously Prof Atkins has been seconded into MoD where he led a team of assessment staff. Currently he holds a visiting position and Exeter University. He has sat as a member of committees ranging from fatal accident investigation to review of grant applications to charitable trusts.