James is Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Deputy Head of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University. Professor Birchall graduated from Bath University in 1993 and completed his PhD researching drug and DNA delivery systems in 1998 (Cardiff University). Current research includes microneedle delivery of contraceptives, therapeutics, immunotherapeutics and vaccines into the skin and pulmonary drug delivery.
James has acted as Associate Editor of Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, a member of the Editorial Board of Expert Review of Medical Devices, a temporary advisor to the WHO and an expert advisor to the British Pharmacopoeia and conducted research funded by the EU, PATH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH, Wellcome Trust, EPSRC, MRC, Welsh Government, Royal Society, Innovate UK and various charities and pharmaceutical companies.