Staff Profile – Meet triathlete tomographer, Chris Egan

Chris Egan
Tomography Product Lead

It’s not just a fashion statement when our Tomography Product Lead, Chris Egan, comes into the office every morning wearing his sports gear. Chris is a man of many interests ranging from squash, biking, and swimming, to atomic surface science and CBCT.

To find out a little more about his life, his interests, and his goals, I asked Chris to answer a few questions for a staff profile…

A quick summary of what you do at IBEX?
I am product lead for tomography, so I am responsible for developing and delivering IBEX products in the field of X-ray tomography.

How did you find yourself at IBEX?
Before joining IBEX, I worked at the University of Manchester as a post-doc research scientist. At that time, I was working in the school of materials X-ray imaging facility, CT scanning materials such as metals, ceramics, composites, and rocks.

My main research focus was on developing new spectroscopic X-ray detectors with application to materials research and developing new X-ray imaging and tomography techniques. After 6 years in research, I felt it was time to move on, I had some old contacts who worked at IBEX and it just so happened they were looking to expand into CT, so it was perfect timing!

Professional background, life outside of work, and some key interests?
I studied physics at Durham University and continued to do a PhD studying atomic surface science using a powerful microscope called a scanning tunneling microscope. After completing my PhD I moved to manchester to work in research for 6 years, then moved back up to County Durham to join IBEX.

Before family life took over the entirety of my free time, I used to be very active in doing mountain biking, rock climbing, running etc. My current main sports activity is Squash which I’ve played on and off for about 10 years. I also cycle to work which keeps me fit. A few years ago I entered a triathlon which was really fun, so next year I’m hoping to do another but I need to get back into swim training as I haven’t been in the pool for a long while!

What are some of your future goals and aspirations?
I quite like the idea of setting up my own small business one day.

A moment in life that you’ll never forget?
Too many! Obviously lots of personal family events that I’ll never forget. Last year I had the opportunity to go to Sri Lanka for a friend’s wedding, that was a great experience.

Your go-to productivity trick?
Writing everything down.

What’s surprised you about working at IBEX?
I really like the team ethic at IBEX, which was something you didn’t get working in pure scientific research.

There you have it, an insight into the world of Chris Egan!