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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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 → 31/12/27
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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Acute peripheral macro- and micro-vascular adaptations in response to microgravitational fluid redistribution in a low gravity simulation systems
Wang, J.-W. (Researcher), Stansby, G. (Academic), Allen, J. (Academic), Linsday, K. (Academic), Hughes, L. (Academic) & Caplan, N. (Principal Investigator)
1/06/23 → 30/06/24
Project: Research
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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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Reflective Photoplethysmography
Badiola, I., Lueken, M. & Allen, J., 5 Sept 2025, (Submitted) Unobtrusive and Contact-free Monitoring of Vital Signs. Taylor and FrancisResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Research Methods; Functional Measures of Nailfold Capillaroscopy Including Permeability, Perfusion and Oxygenation
Murray, A. & Allen, J., 2 Sept 2025, (Accepted/In press) Nailfold Capillaroscopy in Rheumatological Diseases. Herrick, A. (ed.). Springer Nature Switzerland AG, p. (In-Press)Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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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 AccessFile45 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 AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)139 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 AccessFile8 Citations (Scopus)65 Downloads (Pure)
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MSc Data Science and Computational Intelligence / MSc Computer Science/ Software Development (7151CEM), Coventry University
Allen, J. (Supervisor)
1 Jul 2025 → 30 Sept 2025Activity: Other
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International Society for Gravitational Physiology (External organisation)
Allen, J. (Member)
11 Aug 2025 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of network
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NASA Open Science Data Repository - Analysis Working Group (External organisation)
Allen, J. (Member)
15 Aug 2025 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of working group
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Development of a vascular optics and microvascular sensing research cluster and facility - the Coventry University experience
Allen, J. (Speaker)
13 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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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