James R Ballinger obtained his BSc in Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, where he later completed a PhD in PET radiochemistry. He worked as a radiopharmacist and researcher at Ottawa Civic Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital/Ontario Cancer Institute. In 1999 he emigrated to the UK where he worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital in London. He has held academic cross-appointments at the University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, Cambridge University, and King’s College London. He has written more than 115 peer reviewed research publications, 20 invited review papers, and 18 book chapters.