Charles is  an internationally leading environmental scientist and ecotoxicologist with 40 years experience in research and management. His research spans ecotoxicology, molecular systems biology, sustainable aquaculture, aquatic animal health, and conservation, with a strong emphasis on integrated whole animal physiology and the application of genomic and genetic tools and imaging for understanding organism function.

Amongst his various leadership roles, currently he is co-director of the centre for  Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, the Great Western Water Security Alliance, and three NERC funded large PhD training programmes, and is chief science advisor for the UK-Japan partnership on endocrine disrupting chemicals and chemicals of emerging concern. 

He works internationally with many government, industry and NGO stakeholders and has have contributed to many government reports, industry and general public awareness documents on environmental issues spanning endocrine disruption, nanotoxicology, genomics and conservation.

In recognition of his work , Charles has received various awards including  the Fisheries Society of the British Isles Beverton Medal (2012), the Founders Award from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2015), and Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation (2022, Zoological Society of London).   Charles has  published over 350 research papers/reviews, with over 47 000 citations and was named among the top 1% most highly cited researchers in the world (Clarivate 2021: https://clarivate.com/blog/highly-cited-researchers-2021-how-nations-and-institutions-foster-exceptional-performance/).  Charles’ greatest passions are studies in wildlife and wildlife photography.