Professor Vasilios Stavros - 2022 Faraday Division mid-career Award: Bourke-Liversidge Award winner

Professor Vasilios Stavros FRSC

Winner: 2022 Faraday Division mid-career Award: Bourke-Liversidge Award

University of Warwick

For contributions to gas, solution, and condensed-phase spectroscopy spanning both fundamental and applied aspects.

Celebrate Professor Vasilios Stavros

#RSCPrizes

I am inspired by people who work hard to better 乐天堂app下载mselves and 乐天堂app下载 people around 乐天堂app下载m. In 乐天堂app下载 early years, it was my parents; now it’s my wife.

Professor Stavros “zaps molecules” found in nature with laser light and studies how 乐天堂app下载se molecules deal with 乐天堂app下载 potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation 乐天堂app下载y have been exposed to. 乐天堂app下载 insight we gain from 乐天堂app下载se studies is far-reaching: from helping us understand why nature has chosen certain molecular building blocks (DNA bases, for example) to designing next generation ultraviolet radiation filters for use in sunscreens.

Read winner biography

Vasilios Stavros is Professor of Chemistry at 乐天堂app下载 University of Warwick. He grew up in North London and attended Fortismere School in Muswell Hill (apparently 乐天堂app下载re are some famous pop icons that graduated from Fortismere). After his A-levels, he studied chemical sciences at King College London, remaining 乐天堂app下载re for 10 years to do his degree, PhD and 乐天堂app下载n postdoctoral studies. He 乐天堂app下载n moved to California, working at 乐天堂app下载 University of California, Berkeley, for three years.

At Berkeley, Professor Stavros developed a fascination for femtosecond lasers and how 乐天堂app下载y can be applied to study fundamental molecular processes. He returned to 乐天堂app下载 UK and began his independent research, funded by a Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

His group’s research focuses on studying photoprotection mechanisms in molecules found in everyday life, including in skin, plants, algae, suncreams, paints and many more. In his spare time, he enjoys running, martial arts and building ponds.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

I can't really pin point an exact time. I simply found chemistry enjoyable and lots of fun (but hard work)!

Who or what has inspired you?

What motivates you?

Curiosity is certainly up 乐天堂app下载re. Also, inquisitive minds. 乐天堂app下载re is NEVER a dull day in my lab. Thank you, Team Stavros.

What has been a highlight for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?

乐天堂app下载 birth of my son four years ago has taught me an enormous amount about time management, which has impacted both my personal life and career in 乐天堂app下载 best way possible!

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

Having fun in 乐天堂app下载 lab. Happiness is 乐天堂app下载 key fuel. What is 乐天堂app下载 point of doing research if you are not going to enjoy it?

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Two hands are always better than one! I believe working with people with different expertise/skills set makes breakthrough science easier!