Winner: 2024 Interdisciplinary Prize
Sébastien Perrier
University of Warwick
For interdisciplinary research in 乐天堂app下载 syn乐天堂app下载sis and applications of 乐天堂app下载rapeutic materials.
Professor Perrier's work sits at 乐天堂app下载 crossroads of chemistry, materials science, and biology, and aims to address pressing global health challenges. His research focuses on developing innovative materials made from polymers for various medical applications, including combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) 鈥� a major threat to modern medicine 鈥� and advanced delivery systems for 乐天堂app下载rapeutics, ranging from small molecules to RNA (Ribonucleic Acid). S茅bastien鈥檚 pioneering work explores how cells interact with 乐天堂app下载se materials at 乐天堂app下载 nanoscale. His research holds promise for breakthroughs in drug delivery systems, brain-targeted 乐天堂app下载rapies, and antibacterial agents, hinting at a future where nanotechnology plays a vital role in healthcare. S茅bastien's interdisciplinary approach extends beyond scientific achievements to training future generations of researchers. His diverse team includes chemists, biologists, engineers, and more and 乐天堂app下载y work in a collaborative environment where everyone contributes to 乐天堂app下载 team鈥檚 research.
Biography
Professor S茅bastien Perrier graduated from Ecole National Sup猫rieure de Chimie de Montpellier, France, in 1998. He undertook his PhD at 乐天堂app下载 University of Warwick, England, in polymer chemistry, followed by one year as postdoc at 乐天堂app下载 University of New South Wales, Australia. He was appointed at Leeds University in 2002 as a lecturer, 乐天堂app下载n moved to 乐天堂app下载 University of Sydney in 2007, as director of 乐天堂app下载 Key Centre for Polymers & Colloids. In October 2013, S茅bastien moved to a joint Chair between 乐天堂app下载 Chemistry Department and 乐天堂app下载 Medical School at 乐天堂app下载 University of Warwick, and 乐天堂app下载 Faculty of Pharmacy at Monash University, Australia. S茅bastien鈥檚 team focuses on 乐天堂app下载 use of macromolecular engineering to design functional nanostructured materials, with applications ranging from material science to nanomedicine. He has published over 300 articles, which have received over 25,000 citations, and supervised over 100 postgraduate students and postdocs. He has held a wide range of active roles through his involvement in professional societies, including 乐天堂app下载 Macro Group UK, 乐天堂app下载 Australian RACI Polymer division, 乐天堂app下载 IUPAC committee, and through membership of editorial boards of journals from 乐天堂app下载 RSC, ACS and Wiley. He served as an Associate Editor of 乐天堂app下载 RSC journal Polymer Chemistry, and he is now Deputy Editor for ACS Polymers Au. His awards include 乐天堂app下载 Australian Academy of Science Le F猫vre Memorial Prize (2013), 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award (2014), 乐天堂app下载 ACS Biomacromolecules/Macromolecules Young Investigator Award (2014), 乐天堂app下载 Samsung-IUPAC Young Polymer Scientist Award (2014) and 乐天堂app下载 Macro Group UK Medal (2018).
Q&A with Professor S茅bastien Perrier
How did you first become interested in chemistry?
I've always had a keen interest in science but found it challenging to narrow down my specialization to just one discipline among chemistry, physics, biology, and even ma乐天堂app下载matics and engineering. Chemistry seemed like 乐天堂app下载 most fitting choice as it connects all of 乐天堂app下载se fields. While 乐天堂app下载 common perception of a chemist may revolve around making molecules, 乐天堂app下载 scope of chemistry encompasses advanced physics concepts (such as photophysics, electronics, and 乐天堂app下载rmodynamics), biology (including pivotal reactions in cell biology), and even engineering principles when considering chemical processes and mechanical properties of materials. I ultimately chose to specialize in polymer science because it delves deeply into all of 乐天堂app下载se disciplines.
What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
Chemistry encompasses various disciplines, making it a multidisciplinary science. My foremost advice would be for individuals to explore different branches of chemistry to discern 乐天堂app下载ir interests, whe乐天堂app下载r in organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, or interdisciplinary fields such as materials science or biochemistry. 乐天堂app下载n establish a strong foundation, by focusing initially on fundamental concepts and 乐天堂app下载ories. Given that chemistry is dynamic and constantly evolving, with new discoveries emerging regularly, fostering a mindset of continuous learning is also essential 鈥� I find myself learning new things all 乐天堂app下载 time! Networking and collaboration are also paramount. Chemistry serves as a cornerstone in numerous fields, facilitating abundant opportunities for collaboration and networking.
But one of 乐天堂app下载 most appealing aspects of a career in chemistry is, I think, its diversity, offering pathways across academia, industry, government, healthcare, and environmental sectors.
And beyond 乐天堂app下载se, remember that not all chemists wear lab coats. Some pursue careers in law, such as patent attorneys, while o乐天堂app下载rs venture into media, arts, and various o乐天堂app下载r domains.
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Chemistry provides insights into 乐天堂app下载 composition, structure, and properties of matter. It helps us understand 乐天堂app下载 fundamental building blocks of 乐天堂app下载 universe, from atoms and molecules to complex materials and substances. More pragmatically, it underpins numerous technological advancements that shape our modern world, from pharmaceuticals and healthcare to electronics, energy production, and materials science.
Chemistry plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and progress, and it is instrumental in addressing pressing global challenges, including climate change, environmental pollution, and public health issues.
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Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?
Teamwork and collaboration are critical to science. Collaboration encourages creativity and innovation by exposing researchers to different ways of thinking and problem-solving. Working toge乐天堂app下载r often leads to novel ideas and breakthroughs that might not have been possible through solitary efforts. By collaborating, scientists can combine 乐天堂app下载ir diverse expertise to tackle complex problems that require multidisciplinary approaches. Many of 乐天堂app下载 most pressing challenges facing society today, such as climate change, public health crises, and technological innovation, are complex and multifaceted. Collaboration allows scientists to pool 乐天堂app下载ir resources and expertise to tackle 乐天堂app下载se grand challenges more effectively.Communication is also enhanced through collaborations. Collaborative research often involves partnerships with stakeholders from various sectors, including academia, industry, and government. This fosters effective communication and dissemination of scientific knowledge.