Alaster obtained his first degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sheffield and after graduation was originally employed as a design engineer working on the Channel Tunnel project in the early 1990’s mainly using computer simulations to analyse parts of locomotive structures. Using these skills he went back to Sheffield to do a second degree on ‘The Stress Analysis of Aortic Valves’. This work involved complex numerical techniques and design methodologies to look at comparing the function of natural human heart valves to prosthetic implants.  After finishing his PhD, Alaster did some work on numerical modelling of threaded containers which lead to his interest in the design of packaging.  Since then Alaster now co-ordinates both the Engineered Packaging Research Group and FaraPack Engineering Labs, both based in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield. The group’s main interest is the use of experimental, analytical and numerical methods to understand both pack function and human ability with the aim of matching the two and hence give guidance to industry of future pack design.