Bill obtained an Honours degree in Physics with Astrophysics from Leeds University, UK and then undertook a PhD in NMR relaxation behaviour at the Open University. He went on to spend a number of years as a Postdoctoral Fellow in The Chemistry Department at York University, UK, working on biopolymers, in particular studying gelation and phase separation, and slowly but surely becoming obsessed with pectin. Subsequently he spent 4 years with Unilever Research, before returning to academia in March 2003, with a position in The Institute of Fundamental Sciences at Massey University, NZ, where he is working on biophysics and soft-matter, walking up rivers, learning the Phantom of the Opera intro, teaching physics through Maiden, drinking the odd craft ale, and not wearing shoes much.