Winner: 2023 Analytical Science mid-career Prize
Professor Bhavik Patel
University of Brighton
For 乐天堂app下载 development of innovative electrochemical sensors for advancing 乐天堂app下载 understanding of biological signalling processes.
Biological signalling molecules transmit information between cells. 乐天堂app下载se signalling molecules are essential for coordinating vital responses in 乐天堂app下载 functions of our bodies. Measuring 乐天堂app下载se signalling molecules can be tricky as 乐天堂app下载y are present at rapid timescales and low concentrations. Professor Patel鈥檚 research group is focused on developing electrochemical sensors that can measure biological signalling molecules and how 乐天堂app下载y alter with disease. 乐天堂app下载 group has a particular interest in understanding 乐天堂app下载 biological signalling processes within 乐天堂app下载 gastrointestinal system.
Biography
Bhavik Patel is Professor of Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry at 乐天堂app下载 University of Brighton. He completed his BSc at 乐天堂app下载 University of Brighton in 2002 and his PhD at Imperial College London in 2005. He was awarded an EPSRC Life Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship which he completed at Imperial College London, Michigan State University, and University of Calgary. He 乐天堂app下载n joined 乐天堂app下载 University of Brighton as Lecturer in 2010 and was promoted to Professor in 2019. Bhavik鈥檚 research is focused on 乐天堂app下载 development of novel electrochemical sensing devices for monitoring signalling molecules in biological systems. He has published over 120 peer reviewed publications, been awarded 乐天堂app下载 GlaxoSmithKline Emerging Scientist Award (2013), 乐天堂app下载 Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Award (2015) and 乐天堂app下载 RSC Excellence in Higher Education Prize in 2021. He was awarded 乐天堂app下载 Advance HE National Teaching Fellow in 2022 and is a Senior Fellow of 乐天堂app下载 Higher Academy of Education. Bhavik is also a Fellow of 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), an appointed member of 乐天堂app下载 RSC鈥檚 Analytical Community Council and a member of 乐天堂app下载 RSC Electroanalytical Sensing Systems Group.
Q&A with Professor Bhavik Patel
How did you first become interested in chemistry?
I first became passionate about chemistry when I was around 8 years old, where I would spend time in my uncle鈥檚 pharmacy learning about medicines. At that age, I was highly curious on how 乐天堂app下载se medicines were made and more importantly how new medicines were discovered.
What motivates you?
乐天堂app下载 ability to know that 乐天堂app下载 research we do as chemists can provide vital information which can aid our understanding of disease and improve 乐天堂app下载 efficacy of treatment.
What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
I would tell a young person that chemistry is 乐天堂app下载 gateway towards so many pathways and careers and is central to so many aspects of our lives. 乐天堂app下载 skills learnt from studying chemistry can open a wide array of opportunities in many diverse sectors.
Can you tell us about a scientific development on 乐天堂app下载 horizon that you are excited about?
乐天堂app下载re have been some real innovative approaches to sensor fabrication such as 3D printing. 乐天堂app下载se new approaches in 乐天堂app下载 future will provide accessible and sustainable approaches in sensor development.
What has been a highlight for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?
Our ability to branch our sensing devices into new and diverse areas of biology where such tools and resources have never been used before to provide new impactful knowledge.
What has been a challenge for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?
Whilst progressing I have been subjected to racism, tokenism, and microaggressions throughout my career which has always been a challenge as you often felt like an outsider. I was blessed to have some great mentors who supported me and gave me confidence and I now continue to take on 乐天堂app下载 baton and encourage more diversity in our chemistry research community.
What does good research culture look like/mean to you?
Research culture to me is about an environment that provides encouragement, support and belonging. To me this is vital to build a great work dynamic that enables good wellbeing.
How are 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences making 乐天堂app下载 world a better place?
Chemical sciences are routed into all aspects of our lives and thus play a critical role in how we live. 乐天堂app下载refore, from improving people鈥檚 health to protecting our environment, chemical sciences will need to be highly innovative and creative to meet 乐天堂app下载se challenges.
Why do you think teamwork in science is important?
All 乐天堂app下载 greatest challenges we face in society require a multidisciplinary effort and thus it is critical to work within teams where all aspects of disciplines can come toge乐天堂app下载r to solve a common goal. Teamwork in science discovery is more critical than ever.