Educated in N Ireland and at Bristol University with an international squash career was put aside for academic studies in chemistry and then medicine. Linda completed a doctorate in Raman Spectroscopy and continues to deliver a strong clinical portfolio. In 2020 her team’s work was recognised with the award of the Cutler’s prize. Linda was awarded an OBE, in 2021 was a finalist in the ‘Women in Defence’ Awards and made UK, Defence Professor of Surgery. Recently, Linda has extended her work to be more closely involved in supporting the RCS(Eng) research programme as a Surgical Research Advisor.