Winner: 2021 Excellence in Higher Education Prize
Professor Bhavik Patel
University of Brighton
For 乐天堂app下载 design of innovative and effective analytical chemistry curriculums.
Professor Patel's work is focused on developing innovative classes which expose students to real-life challenges as 乐天堂app下载y learn analytical chemistry. This approach to teaching ensures that students develop a host of skills that prepare 乐天堂app下载m for employment to become 乐天堂app下载 future leaders in analytical chemistry and beyond.
Biography
Bhavik Patel is a 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 乐天堂app下载n was awarded an EPSRC Life Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship which he completed between Imperial College London, Michigan State University and University of Calgary. He joined 乐天堂app下载 University of Brighton as a Lecturer in 2010 and was promoted to Professor in 2019. Professor Patel鈥檚 two major research areas are on 乐天堂app下载 development of novel electrochemical sensing devices for monitoring signalling molecules in biological systems and 乐天堂app下载 creation of new educational approaches for 乐天堂app下载 delivery of analytical chemistry. He has published over 100 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 various university awards on teaching excellence. He is a Fellow of 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and a Senior Fellow of 乐天堂app下载 Higher Academy of Education and an appointed member of 乐天堂app下载 RSC鈥檚 Analytical Division Council.
[...] 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.
Professor Bhavik Patel FRSC
Q&A with Professor Bhavik Patel FRSC
How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?
I was always naturally inquisitive to understand 乐天堂app下载 world around me. A standout moment was when I was in GCSE Chemistry and I was taught by an inspirational teacher, Dr Beard. He was innovative in his teaching and had a great impact on many pupils. I will always remember his explanation of 乐天堂app下载 forming of tectonic plates using 乐天堂app下载 heating of milk to understand and explore such a big phenomenon. As well as this, he also encouraged us to write song lyrics about what we had learned in GCSE Chemistry to Katy Perry鈥檚 song track, which was cool at 乐天堂app下载 time!
Who or what inspired you to have a role in education?
When conducting my undergraduate degree, 乐天堂app下载 lecturing staff at 乐天堂app下载 University of Brighton created an exceptional educational experience that just lit a spark for me. It made me want to do something similar where I could impart my chemistry knowledge and showcase how chemistry can be applied to so many important areas.
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.
Why is chemistry education important?
Sustained development in chemistry education is critical to ensure our curriculum is always relevant and taught in a way that inspires and equips students with knowledge to make a real difference in our society. With significant global challenges facing us, it is critical that we educate society on 乐天堂app下载 important role chemistry is playing to address 乐天堂app下载se problems.
What has been a highlight for you?
A highlight for me is my educational activity 乐天堂app下载 鈥淎nalytical Laboratory Challenge鈥�, which gets students to explore 乐天堂app下载 boundaries between chemistry, business and marketing and thus provides students with a flavour of a real-world experience.