Chris Thorogood is an Associate Professor of biology at the University of Oxford where he holds the position of Deputy Director and Head of Science at the Botanic Garden and Arboretum. His work explores: (i) biomimetics – combining biology, mathematics, physics and engineering to identify potential applications in technology – for example giant waterlilies to inspire offshore floating solar panel design; (ii) evolution and taxonomy, and (iii) conservation.

Chris is a Visiting Professor at the University of the Philippines, and conducts field work extensively across Southeast Asia, where he founded the Community for the Conservation and Research of Rafflesia (CCRR) – an international alliance seeking to protect the world’s largest flowers. Chris is an award-winning wildlife artist, the author of 15 books, and a regular broadcaster for the BBC.