Dr Mark Andrew Newstead graduated from Loughborough University in 2005 with a First Class Honours degree in Masters of Mathematics. He then continued at Loughborough University graduating in 2010 with a Doctor of Philosophy, in Mathematical Biology (Modelling the Development and Growth of Bacterial Biofilms). Mark is the eldest child with two younger sisters. A selection of his hobbies are; chess, snooker, pool, swimming, cycling, motor racing and computer games.