Ian Boyd was born in Peebles, Scotland, grew up in Coleraine, N. Ireland, and finished his education at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh at PhD level. He was a researcher at Western General Hospital and Hughes Microelectonics before moving to Texas in 1982 for post-doctoral studies. In 1985 he obtained a tenured faculty position at University College London where he became Professor at the age of 35, and was co-fonder of the London Centre for Nanotechnology. Following 2 years in Australia as Director of the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, he joined Brunel University as Director of ETC. Prof Boyd has given numerous invited lectures around the world, has published more than 300 scientific papers and 11 books, is recipient of the Watt Medal (1979) and the Yarwood Medal (2005), and serves on numerous international boards and advisory committees in the area of laser applications, advanced materials, and nanotechnology. He is an international beer judge and has enjoyed many a pint in numerous pubs.