Winner: 2023 Early Career Prize for Excellence in Higher Education
Dr Niloufar Raeis-Hosseini
Cranfield University
For providing an inspirational chemistry education and using teaching technology to ignite students’ interest in chemistry beyond the classroom.
Inspired by the human brain, Dr Niloufar Raeis-Hosseini produces tiny nanoscale memory devices that mimic the brain, store data, and process information. She has developed the next generation of memory devices and memristor-based artificial synapses for neuromorphic computing. Memristors are components that 'remember' the amount of electrical charge that has passed through it. Niloufar also works on biocompatible and energy-efficient flexible memristors for sustainable wearable electronics and sensory applications.
Biography
Dr Niloufar Raeis-Hosseini is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). She has been awarded her PhD in Nanoelectronic Materials from POSTECH and is a lecturer at Cranfield University. Niloufar has initiated an innovative teaching method, including videos in her lectures to engage students and encourage them to participate in discussion groups with their peers. She has built and led a research group of Advanced Nanoelectronic Materials and Brain-Inspired Memristive Synapses (ANMABIMS). Her group is dedicated to modelling, fabricating, and characterising novel nanodevices and data storage systems with innovative, cost-effective nanofabrication techniques.
Niloufar has a strong profile in nanotechnology, nanofabrication, and nanodevices. She is an international expert in non-volatile memory devices, particularly Resistive Switching Random Access Memories (ReRAMs), memristors, and artificial synapses. Niloufar pioneers the designing, atomic-level characterisation, and manufacturing of nanoelectronic materials and nanodevices. She uses various advanced functional materials, from transitional metal oxides and phase change materials to polymers, nanocomposites, and biodegradable materials for memristor components.
Niloufar was an Honorary Research Fellow at Imperial College London and has secured a research grant for her idea on 'flexible biomemristor as a biological synaptic emulator for scalable neuromorphic computing'. She conducted her research on memristive devices as a principal investigator in a multidisciplinary team in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London. Niloufar has contributed as a role model to Women in EEE by attracting more female students to engineering fields.
My students are the greatest source of inspiration. The questions they raise during my lectures, their teamwork and sorting out obstacles with various innovative methods, their hard work in the lab, and their enthusiasm are my motivation.
Dr Niloufar Raeis-Hosseini
Q&A
In a few sentences, how does it feel to receive this prize and be recognised by colleagues for your contribution to chemistry education?
I am extremely excited to receive the RSC Early Career Prize for Excellence in HE. I am committed to making an impact in materials chemistry, specifically in nanoscale, and this prize encourages me to be more creative in higher education. I aim to combine my innovative ideas with novel nanotechnology methods to make a milestone in the chemistry of nanomaterials, to train creative minds, to make the world a better place to live. My recognition for contributing to chemistry education leads me to work hard and pass the obstacles to reach the summits of success.
What would be your advice to educators who are working with colleagues going above and beyond, but are yet to nominate them for an RSC Education prize?
My advice to educators is clear; this prize is very encouraging and motivates individuals.Therefore, educators should nominate the best candidates without hesitation; it is completely rewarding.
How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?
Fortunate to be born into an educated family; my parents engaged me in activities that encouraged my curiosity. From childhood, I was inspired by the unity and regularity of nature. Every aspect of nature, including the solar system and its arrangement, made me think of the science behind each phenomenon. I always followed the reasons behind each event, and the fact that my mother is a teacher helped me to find many answers and inspired me to follow my instinct with logical details. In my opinion, chemistry answers many queries that sound impossible.
Who or what has inspired you to have a role in education?
Since my mother was a teacher, I attended her classes and enjoyed how she explained science to the students and gave them persuading answers. I am interested in sharing my knowledge with others and transferring information effectively. Thus, the best position for me is enrolling in education to gain inner satisfaction and prove that the most rewarding position is the one I enjoy the most. Being a lecturer and having a role in research and education brings me pleasure and gratification. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my research direction and make a milestone in nanoscience, chemistry, and materials. I eagerly transfer my knowledge to my students and provide them with the scientific path for tackling worldwide problems.
What motivates you?
Observing my students’ success, publishing articles that resolve a challenge, lecturing in an engaged way, producing novel ideas, and solving real-life problems are my motivations to continue my scientific path and never give up.
What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
Chemistry is solving the complex equations of life, requiring high-level education, including chemical structures and math equations. The young person looking for a career in chemistry should be patient enough to achieve results, be persistent, and never stop. Paying attention to lectures during the study, attending international conferences, boosting their networks, and doing research and experiments with effort is the key to success in this path.
How have your students inspired you?
My students are the greatest source of inspiration. The questions they raise during my lectures, their teamwork and sorting out obstacles with various innovative methods, their hard work in the lab, and their enthusiasm are my motivation. Their interest in science and practical work, enjoyment, and assisting their peers give me tremendous energy and encouragement.
How can good science education support solving global challenges?
A proper science education with gender equality and the support of funding bodies play an important role in solving global challenges. It contributes to mitigate and adapt to life-size issues such as climate change. Educators and lecturers are responsible for presenting global concerns to students and providing scientific resolutions. The scientific problem-solving method of worldwide issues is demonstrated by lecturers, which provides students with a wide range of learning opportunities.
Why is chemistry education important?
Chemistry education is important because the universe is based on chemical reactions. Chemistry is a fundamental science that can explain every aspect of life due to the connectivity of science. So, an effective chemistry education is essential to tackle various difficulties. Students are supposed to learn science through international collaborations.
What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?
There are several highlights during my career path that make me proud of my efforts in science and education. I have secured prestigious fellowships and grants from the Royal Society and Korean funding bodies. By securing grants from funding bodies, I have developed memristive neuromorphic computing by introducing a green, flexible artificial synapse with a simple solution-assisted method. I have realized entirely biocompatible and environmentally benign flexible transparent memristors.
I am also honoured to be nominated as a 'young scientist in the semiconductor industry' by receiving a scholarship from SK-Hynix company two times during my graduate study. I have been nominated to attend the 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, 2020, endorsed by the Royal Society. I sit on the advisory panel of the prestigious Journal of Nanotechnology. I was awarded an IOP Trusted Reviewer status from the Institute of Physics for contributing to peer review proficiency.
I have received an 'Outstanding Reviewer Award' from the 'Nano Futures' published by the IOP and Journal of Materials Chemistry C. I have been a Nominee for the Royal Academy of Engineering as a role model to female students to pursue their career in engineering @ThisIsEngineering. Moreover, I have been selected as a successful early career researcher at Imperial College London.
What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?
There are various challenges that I have faced during my academic life. The most important obstacle in my career is achieving gender equality. Getting involved in scientific research requires equal opportunities. As a female scientist, I have struggled with tremendous resists to raise awareness of the society to women in science. Raising a family with an important role in scientific education requires extraordinary energy and effort.
How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?
Chemical science, including medicines, clean fuels, and efficient engines, impacts modern society. A noticeable influence of chemistry in science is producing the COVID-19 vaccine that helped to increase the world’s survival rate and made the world a better place to live.
Why do you think teamwork is important in science?
Teamwork is an essential element of science education that enables sharing ideas to provide effective scientific research. Innovative ideas can be exchanged through brainstorming and collaborative projects to solve real-world problems.
Who or what has supported you in your career as an educator?
I have been privileged to build some excellent collaborations with top scientists worldwide. My collaborators have mentored and encouraged me in my educational track by sharing their interest in innovative projects. Being awarded the Newton International Fellowship from the Royal Society was the most fortunate period in my career. It led me to be appointed to Imperial College London and continue my interest in different applications of nanotechnology.
My family, colleagues, peers, and leaders supported me and nurtured my passion to be a university lecturer. Moreover, my PGCert in Academic Practice (PGCAP) at Cranfield University supported my professional development and teaching in Higher Education by providing a culture of continuous learning and growth.
What is your favourite element?
Silicon (Si) is my favourite element that is not found alone in nature. Silicon is a fundamental element of the electronic circuits of computers. It can hold two properties of insulator and semiconductor in different situations. Si has an important role in modern society based on computer chips and memory devices.