Stephen Falk is a consultant clinical oncologist based in Bristol with sessional commitments to Yeovil. Major clinical interests are thoracic and gastro-intestinal malignancies. Interest in research was stimulated as a MRC Clinical Scientist in Norman Bleehens' unit in Cambridge where the MRC cancer trials unit was situated at the time. A MD related to lung cancer and scheduling of topoisomerase poisons with and without radiation is the basis of an on-going interest in chemo-radiation interactions. He is lead doctor for Clinical Oncology in Bristol and clinical lead for research and development within the Bristol Haematology and Oncology centre and for the National Cancer Research Network locally in Avon Somerset and Wiltshire. He is also a member of the NCRI upper GI studies committees. Increasing research management activity is reflected in his current role as co-clinical director of the UK comprehensive local research network western.