Professor Bhavik Patel FRSC

Winner: 2021 Excellence in Higher Education Prize

University of Brighton

For the design of innovative and effective analytical chemistry curriculums.

Celebrate Professor Bhavik Patel FRSC

#RSCPrizes

Professor Patel's work is focused on developing innovative classes which expose students to real-life challenges as they learn analytical chemistry. This approach to teaching ensures that students develop a host of skills that prepare them for employment to become the future leaders in analytical chemistry and beyond.

Bhavik Patel is a Professor of Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry at the University of Brighton. He completed his BSc at the University of Brighton in 2002 and his PhD at Imperial College London in 2005. He then was awarded an EPSRC Life Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship which he completed between Imperial College London, Michigan State University and University of Calgary. He joined the University of Brighton as a Lecturer in 2010 and was promoted to Professor in 2019.

Professor Patel’s two major research areas are on the development of novel electrochemical sensing devices for monitoring signalling molecules in biological systems and the creation of new educational approaches for the delivery of analytical chemistry. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed publications, been awarded the GlaxoSmithKline Emerging Scientist Award (2013), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Award (2015) and various university awards on teaching excellence. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Academy of Education and an appointed member of the RSC’s Analytical Division Council.

[...] chemistry is the gateway towards so many pathways and careers and is central to so many aspects of our lives. The skills learnt from studying chemistry can open a wide array of opportunities in many diverse sectors.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?

I first became passionate about chemistry when I was around 8 years old, as I would spend time in my uncle’s pharmacy learning about medicines. At that age, I was highly curious about how these medicines were made and more importantly how new medicines were discovered.

Who or what inspired you to have a role in education?

When conducting my undergraduate degree, the lecturing staff at the 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 the gateway towards so many pathways and careers and is central to so many aspects of our lives. The 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 the important role chemistry is playing to address these problems.