Professor Michael George CChem FRSC

Winner: 2022 Interdisciplinary Prize

The University of Nottingham

For pioneering innovations in flow chemistry, reactor engineering and reaction monitoring for continuous chemical processing.

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Working with early career researchers and watching their talent development is a huge inspiration.

A unifying theme in Mike’s research is combining photochemistry and spectroscopy to understand and drive chemistry probing reactivity, structure and function as well as developing new processes in three areas: (1) photochemistry and mechanisms of organometallic and coordination compounds; (2) spectroscopic and instrument development, and (3) green and sustainable chemistry. These areas overlap but the latter particularly focuses on how to efficiently convert raw materials to produce less waste and pollution.

Addressing the challenges of using continuous photochemistry, electrosynthesis and thermal chemistry could transform how fine chemicals, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals are manufactured.

Read winner biography

Professor Mike George received his BSc and PhD from the University of Nottingham in 1987 and 1990, respectively. He was awarded a Royal Society/STA of Japan Postdoctoral Fellowship to work on organic photochemistry with Professor Hiro-o Hamaguchi at the Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), Japan. He became Experimental Officer (1992), Senior Experimental Officer (1995), Research Officer (1996), Lecturer (1998), Reader (2001), and Professor (2003) at the University of Nottingham. He was elected as a member of Academia Europaea in 2021.

Recent awards include the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Bronze Award for Research in Chemical Leasing (2018), the Meggers Award from the Society for Applied Spectroscopy (2016) and the Camellia Award from the Ningbo Municipal Government, China (2016). He has previously been a member of the RSC Dalton Council, the Infrared and Raman Discussion Group (IRDG) Committee and the Governing Board of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS). He currently serves on the Governing Boards of the Coblentz Society and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.

Q+A

Who or what has inspired you?

Working with early career researchers and watching their talent development is a huge inspiration. Throughout my career there have been many people who have inspired me. My postdoctoral supervisor, Jim Turner, is inspirational. He instilled into me the need to "establish a good reputation through honesty in your work" which comes up in the answer to other questions. During this time, I met my scientific great grandfather, Norman Sheppard who was the mentor on a Royal Society Paul Instrument grant, who was a huge influence for many reasons. My second postdoctoral supervisor Hiro-o Hamaguchi and my first independent major collaborator, Nick Turro, inspired me to spot and a drive towards paradigm shifts. Nick was also a huge encouragement to dive into the philosophy of science.

My current research has been inspired by a visionary paper, The Photochemistry of the Future, published in 1912 by the Italian photochemist Giacomo Ciamician, suggesting that "from this day forward" we should be harnessing the power of sunlight to manufacture chemicals.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

The first advice I give is nobody plans their career. Your career is made up of the choices which you make from the opportunities that present themselves and the only advice is never to regret decisions that you make as you cannot change them. In giving advice I often use two Chinese idioms namely, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ and ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime’. I also impart a list was given a list as ’recipe for scientific survival’ from Curt Marcott and John Rabolt:

1. have faith in your choice of research
2. avoid pursuing instant glory at the expense of incremental progress in less "glamorous" research areas
3. pursue more than one research area simultaneously
4. do not be afraid of playing visionary
5. avoid overextending your efforts
6. establish a good reputation through honesty in your work and
7. have fun

If I were to focus on just one thing it would be the last item on the list and be reminded of two Japanese words Omoshiro and Okashiku which translate as ‘joy’ and ‘fun’. I found this from the motto of a Japanese corporation and I give the advice that all aspects of work should be undertaken with a sense of joy and fun.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

For me the highlight has always been making a difference, whether it is in developing new ways of carrying out chemical reactions or in helping develop talent amongst those who work in my research group.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

I see the chemical sciences as playing a major role in helping the world achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and I make this an area of both my teaching and research.

What is your favourite element?

Xenon. This may seem strange given the nature of the prize but early in independent career I became fascinated by the bonding and reactivity of organometallic xenon complexes, and this remains a part of my fundamental work.