After several years of part-time and evening study he was able to enroll for a degree in medical biological sciences at Ulster University.
He later gained a PhD for his work on developing tests for the illegal use of growth promoting drugs in farm animals, and implementing a monitoring programme.
His doctoral work on testing and monitoring for the illegal use of clenbuterol as a growth promotor in animal husbandry developed into a system that was used worldwide.
[2][3] After the 2008 Irish pork crisis, where dioxin contamination of pig meat led to an international product recall, he led the Food Fortress project, at the request of the animal feed industry, to evaluate future risks and develop testing and monitoring so that it would not be repeated.
Since retiring he has taken up a role with a university in Thailand to build resilience to climate change into local food production.
In 2017 he was awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry Theophilus Redwood Prize, appointed an OBE in The Queen's 2017 Birthday Honours and was given an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Northern Ireland Food Industry by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association.
With friends, he founded the cross-community Antrim Rovers football club which now has teams for children, seniors, men and women.