Professor John Cherrie graduated in Physics from Edinburgh University and went to work at the Institute of Occupational Medicine. His early career involved measuring exposure to airborne fibres, both asbestos and man-made mineral fibres. The latter work was in support of a large European epidemiology study coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. John developed an interest in occupational hygiene, and the science behind occupational exposure to harmful agents. In 1991 he joined the University of Aberdeen to set up a Masters course in occupational hygiene. During this time John developed his interest in retrospective occupational exposure assessment for epidemiological studies, and this work formed the basis of his PhD, which he received in 1996. In 2003 John rejoined the IOM and took on the role of Research Director. During this time he broadened his research interested to encompass the “exposome”, human exposure assessment, occupational cancer, environmental and occupational epidemiology, natural and synthetic fibres, dermal exposure and air pollution. In 2015 John took up the chair in Human Health at Heriot Watt University. John is a retired Chartered Fellow of the Faculty of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.