Projects per year
Personal profile
Vision Statement
A healthier world. My contribution by undertaking world leading R&D in vascular optics and vascular sensing from macro- to micro-circulation for the benefit of the patient and society - aiming to also help reduce health inequalities.
Research Interests
Please see CV.
Biography
I started my career in industry in instrumentation and control engineering, then moving into biomedical engineering after studying for a master’s degree in Bioengineering at Strathclyde University. In 1989 I joined the NHS / Northern Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering department based at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, first working with the Cardiovascular Physics and Engineering Research Group allied to Newcastle University, then becoming lead Clinical Scientist specialising in microvascular assessment i.e., studying the smaller blood vessels of the body. I have a PhD in the vascular optics pulse technique known as photoplethysmography (PPG), for which I am a specialist and innovator. I am a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Scientist, state registered Clinical Scientist, and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (Accredited Senior Imaging Scientist).
In 2001 I founded the unique vascular optics measurement facilities at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital for patient microvascular assessments, establishing a platform for wide ranging collaborative research in clinical physiological measurement as well as medical device, sensor and signal / image processing development work. A main group assessed was those with a suspected auto-immune connective tissue disease including patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon.
In 2020, I took up the new post of Professor in Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation at Coventry University's new Research Centre for Intelligent Healthcare (CIH). I am fascinated to explore the power of light in medicine ("vascular optics"), with its many opportunities in microcirculation and vascular research. I have now established specialist clinical grade measurement facilities for my microvascular research at Coventry and am Cluster Lead for a growing research team (Intelligent Vascular Optics and Microvascular Sensing, from single-handed up to 2023 to now having 5 PGR students and 1 Assistant Professor with me - including joint student collaborations with world leading ETH Zurich and A* Singapore universities). My research focus is about development of tests using AI techniques applied to vascular optics signals and images.
Applying for specific funding to take aspects of these forward. I welcome discussions on collaboration in vascular optics research, an impactful and relatively new way of looking at things with light.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Medical Physics, Doctorate, Multi-site PPG in PAD detection, Newcastle University
1 May 1995 → 1 Oct 2002
Award Date: 4 Dec 2002
Bioengineering, MSc, Adaptive control, University of Strathclyde
1 Oct 1988 → 1 Oct 1989
Award Date: 1 Oct 1989
Finance and Management: CDipAF, Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance (CDipAF), from ACCA
1987 → 1988
Award Date: 29 Sept 1988
Control Engineering, Degree, Systems Identification, University of Sheffield
1 Sept 1982 → 30 Jun 1985
Award Date: 4 Jul 1985
External positions
Visiting Professor at Newcastle University, Newcastle University
1 Aug 2021 → …
Individual Member, Parliamentary and Scientific Committee
1 Jan 2021 → 31 Dec 2025
Personal Readership in Microcirculation, Newcastle University
1 Aug 2018 → 31 Jul 2021
Executive Editorial Board, Physiological Measurement, Institute of Physics Publishing
1 Jan 2011 → …
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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IEEE EMBC 2025 - Denmark. Biomedical Engineering Conference. PPG Mini-Symposium co-lead and presenter.
Allen, J. (Academic)
4/01/25 → 31/07/25
Project: Unfunded project
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Joint CU - ETH Zurich Collaboration on PPG and its role in PAD. Co-PI leading for Coventry University.
Allen, J. (Principal Investigator)
1/01/24 → 30/06/27
Project: Research
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PTB-led Metrology Bid (Euramet QUMPHY consortium). Photoplethysmography and AI metrology (Collaborator).
Allen, J. (Academic)
3/07/23 → 30/06/26
Project: Unfunded project
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Adding value with objective skin colour measurement technology in microcirculatory assessments of patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon
Allen, J. (Principal Investigator)
1/04/23 → 31/12/25
Project: Internally funded project
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Specification, Design and Wide-ranging Commissioning of Intelligent Physiological Measurement Facility (HDTi) - Phase I of II. Clinical Scientist lead.
Allen, J. (Consultant)
4/01/21 → 30/06/23
Project: Internally funded project
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Advances in basic and applied research in photoplethysmography
Allen, J. & Kyriacou, P. A., 16 May 2024, In: Frontiers in Physiology. 15, 4 p., 1415049.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Open AccessFile44 Downloads (Pure) -
Advances in basic and applied research in photoplethysmography
Allen, J. & Kyriacou, P. A., May 2024, Lausanne: Frontiers Media. 208 p. ( Frontiers in Physiology)Research output: Book/Report › Anthology or Edited Book › peer-review
Open AccessFile85 Downloads (Pure) -
Developing technologies to assess vascular ageing: a roadmap from VascAgeNet
Zanelli, S., Agnoletti, D., Alastruey, J., Allen, J., Bianchini, E., Bikia, V., Boutouyrie, P., Bruno, R. M., Climie, R., Djeldjli, D., Gkaliagkousi, E., Giudici, A., Gopcevic, K., Grillo, A., Guala, A., Hametner, B., Joseph, J., Karimpour, P., Kodithuwakku, V. & Kyriacou, P. A. & 26 others, , 30 Dec 2024, In: Physiological Measurement. 45, 12, 90 p., 121001.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)70 Downloads (Pure) -
Exploration of the conditions for occurrence of photoplethysmographic signal inversion above the dorsalis pedis artery
Jerve, F. W., Hjelme, D. R., Kalvøy, H., Allen, J. & Tronstad, C., 10 Oct 2024, In: Sensors (Switzerland). 24, 20, 21 p., 6505.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile18 Downloads (Pure) -
Recommendations for evaluating photoplethysmography-based algorithms for blood pressure assessment
Elgendi, M., Haugg, F., Fletcher, R. R., Allen, J., Shin, H., Alian, A. & Menon, C., 12 Jul 2024, In: Communications Medicine. 4, 7 p., 140.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)37 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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Random audit of my professional CPD activity for 2024, by IPEM on behalf of Science Council.
Allen, J. (Examiner)
1 Jan 2024 → 31 Dec 2024Activity: Examination
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Webinar on PPG (hosted by Sensors)
Allen, J. (Speaker), Kyriacou, P. A. (Invited speaker), Charlton, P. H. (Invited speaker) & Elgendi, M. (Invited speaker)
24 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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‘AI’ Deep learning detection of vascular disease from photoplethysmography waveforms – new opportunities in vascular optics and analytics for studying the peripheral circulation
Allen, J. (Speaker)
25 Apr 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Royal Photographic Society (External organisation)
Allen, J. (Member)
5 May 2023Activity: Membership › Membership of board
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Newcastle University (External organisation)
Allen, J. (Member)
8 Mar 2023 → 27 Jul 2026Activity: Membership › Membership of network
Prizes
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2024 Best Review Article Award - Vascular Ageing / PPG research. European Consortium (VascAgeNet)
Allen, J. (Recipient), 12 Apr 2024
Prize: Other distinction
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Attaining 1000+ citations for 2007 review paper on photoplethysmography (PPG).
Allen, J. (Recipient), 3 Dec 2019
Prize: Other distinction
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Best poster (Kurt Ammer Prize) at the European Association of Thermology conference, 2021
Allen, J. (Recipient) & Griffiths, B. (Recipient), 3 Sept 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
DoH Health Health and Social Care Awards 2006: Innovative Device category.
Allen, J. (Recipient), 26 Feb 2007
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Finalist x2 in 2017 Institution of Electrical Engineers (IET) Innovations Awards: Healthcare Technologies and Emerging Technology categories
Allen, J. (Recipient), 16 Nov 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press/Media
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Fab new generation of Vascular Optics Researchers at Coventry centre. A promotion to tie in with International Day of Light.
16/05/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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'Tests on tiniest blood vessels can reveal the beginnings of serious disease'
15/09/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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New microvascular measurement facility - Coventry University
14/05/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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Microvascular research facility - Coventry University (John Allen) article 2
5/05/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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PPG Podcast by John Allen for Physics World
13/01/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities