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Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

 

Our new 1920 Professor of Physical Chemistry, courtesy Nathan Pitt

Professor Tuomas Knowles has been elected as the department’s new 1920 Professor of Physical Chemistry.

The Electors, who included distinguished physical chemists from the USA and Europe, selected Knowles from a strong field on the basis of his outstanding reputation and achievements, and for the ambition of his future research program.

Head of Department Dr James Keeler said: “Tuomas' work is very interdisciplinary, reflecting his own strong background in biology, physics and physical chemistry. The previous distinguished holders of the 1920 chair have all developed their own distinctive take of what Physical Chemistry means, and I am confident that Tuomas will carry on in this strong tradition.”

Knowles joined the Department as a University Lecturer in 2010 and the majority of his independent research career has been here, where he is currently a Professor of Physical Chemistry and Biophysics.

For many years Knowles and his team have conducted basic research into the behaviour of proteins, which has not only increased scientists’ fundamental understanding of the physical and chemical aspects of protein behaviour, but also has a broad range of applications, from health to plastic pollution.

For example, much of Knowles’ research is focused on what happens when proteins misfold or ‘misbehave’, and how this relates to health and human disease, in particular Alzheimer’s disease. However, his investigations into protein self-assembly have also led to the creation of sustainable materials that could replace single-use plastics.

Keeler said: “We can feel proud that our department has facilitated and nurtured such a distinguished career to date, and no doubt more to come.”

The Professorship of Physical Chemistry (1920) has, since its establishment, been held by a succession of distinguished physical chemists including from 1937-1965, Nobel Laureate Ronald Norrish FRS; 1978-1987 Sir John Meurig Thomas FRS, subsequently Director of the Royal Institution; 1988-2006, Sir David King FRS, subsequently Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government; and most recently John Pyle CBE FRS, who held the post from 2007 until his retirement in 2018.

The official announcement was posted at the Senate House on 20 December 2022 and will appear in the University Reporter in the New Year.

Knowles will officially take over the role on 1 October 2023.