I observe planets forming around young stars, especially leading the Planet-Earth Building-Blocks Legacy eMERLIN Survey (PEBBLeS). I also research on connections to the solar system, particularly observing the dwarf planet Pluto and icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn that may harbour life. I have a background in observing 'debris' from comet collisions around stars like the Sun - I was the first to image such a debris belt around any Sun-like star - and interpret these data in terms of impact that could harm or help life on planets. I am the 2017 winner of the Institute of Physics Fred Hoyle Medal.