Alan's background is in infectious diseases, having graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Medical Microbiology and a subsequent PhD in molecular bacteriology. His postdoctoral research ranged from neurodegenerative prion diseases through to the microbiology of the cystic fibrosis lung, before he joined the University of Exeter's Biosciences department as Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology in 2008. At Exeter, his research primarily focused on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and species of the Burkholderia genus, exploring the fundamental mechanisms that underlie the virulence of these organisms and their interaction with the host. 

In March 2020, Alan made the transition to an education leadership role, initially as Director of Education (2020-2022) and subsequently as Co-Director of Education & Student Experience (2022-2024) for the University of Exeter's Biosciences department, where he was responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all taught programmes within the department.

Alan joined LSHTM in January 2025 as Associate Dean (Education) for the Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, with responsibility for leading the development and implementation of the faculty's education strategy, and working with colleagues across LSHTM to shape education provision across the School.