Dr Andrew Kicman is Head of Research and Development within the Drug Control Centre, a World Anti-doping Agency accredited laboratory dedicated to detecting and eradicating the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport. Much of his research work centres on interfacing evidential analysis with drugs of abuse. A major interest concerns analytical and endocrine aspects of anabolic steroids and protein hormones but recently he has widened his interests to other aspects of analytical toxicology.

Current projects include improving the detection of drug administration to vulnerable groups, e.g. ketamine, GHB, benzodiazepines; the 'poppy seed' defence; and a US Anti-doping Agency funded project to underpin the test for the detection of administration of nandrolone in women (nandrolone is a widely misused anabolic steroid).

Data from an investigation completed recently was specifically referred to in a Food and Drug Administration White Paper on 'Health Effects of Androstenedione', which was passed by the US Congress. The investigation was important because it demonstrated in women that a single oral dose of androstenedione (100 mg) can be converted to testosterone in supraphysiological amounts. The implication is serious, being that if this steroid is used chronically as a prohormone for anabolic purposes, there would be a strong risk of developing hirsutism and virilisation (masculinising effects). Given the good reasons for the restricted sale of testosterone, the findings from this investigation supported the restrictions now implemented on the sale of androstenedione.

His research outside of analytical toxicology includes steroid analysis (epitestosterone) in male contraception studies, and fruitful collaborations involving the mass spectrometry of human chorionic gonadotropin and related molecules, which may have relevance to cancer and Down's syndrome. He currently has the pleasure of supervising a post-doctoral researcher and six PhD students.