Dr Miller is a Senior Research Fellow within the University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science at the University of Edinburgh. He graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology (BSc, Hons) in 1998, before being awarded a PhD on the vascular effects of nitric oxide donor drugs in 2002, both at the University of Edinburgh.
He specializes in the study of vascular function, endothelial pathways, nitric oxide, oxidative stress and atherosclerosis, using a multidisciplinary approach with both in vitro and in vivo models of vascular function in health and disease, including electron paramagnetic resonance, myography (organ bath pharmacology), characterization of atherosclerotic plaques (immunohistochemical analysis of ApolipoproteinE knockout mouse arteries), and various ex vivo measures of nitric oxide bioavailability, oxidative stress and inflammation.
He is an Editor for the peer-reviewed journals Particle & Fibre Toxicology (Impact Factor: 8.65) and Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. He is a co-opted member of COMEAP; the UK government advisory committee on the health effects of air pollution.
Dr Miller’s main area of research is the cardiovascular effects of air pollution, which is believed to be responsible for up to 7 million deaths worldwide per year. The research aims to determine the biological pathways through which inhaled particles are able to cause their detrimental actions on the cardiovascular system. The work centres on the action of combustion-derived nanoparticles, e.g. those in diesel exhaust, addressing which features of these particles drive their harmful actions. This research also extends to manufactured nanomaterials, which are being developed for an ever-increasing number of applications. These materials share many of the same characteristics as environmental nanoparticles, yet their ability to cause harm remains to be established, especially within a cardiovascular setting.
“My research investigates the cardiovascular effects of air pollution, which are believed to be responsible for killing millions of people worldwide every year. I specialise in the biological mechanisms by which inhaled nanoparticles lead to detrimental effects on multiple aspects of the cardiovascular system. This work also encompasses engineered nanoparticles, the manufacture of which is increasing on an exponential scale for a diverse range of applications. These nanoparticles share many of the physicochemical properties with environmental particles, yet their potential to cause cardiovascular harm has received very little attention. I also have an interest in atherosclerosis, the vascular endothelium, nitric oxide and oxidative stress. Our group specialises in in vitro and in vivo models of vascular function, with immediate translational links to clinical research and public health.”
