The 2013 GlaxoSmithKline Emerging Scientist Award has been won by Dr Bhavik Patel, Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences.
The award is presented annually to scientists from around the world who have demonstrated significant practical application of knowledge within the pharmaceutical sciences over the last five years.
Dr Patel received the award in recognition of his developments in simple and applicable sensor technology. His research group has developed sensor tools that have been used to monitor a range of biological analytes and have led to new insight in biological processes and clinical pharmacy.
'It has been a great honour to accept such a prestigious award which recognises the hard work of my research group over the past few years,' said Dr Patel.
'We have made various sensor devices which have offered realistic practical options for measurements in a range of areas, and we are committed to simple solutions for biological and clinical monitoring that can have a significant impact on our lifestyles.'
Dr Patel’s approach to electrochemical sensor fabrication provided the means to create mouldable and flexible electrodes, which allow sensors to be incorporated into environments which, to date, have not been investigated.
'These developments will have significant impact on conducting real-time monitoring in sectors such as the environment and healthcare,' he said.
The group makes sensors for various geometries and shapes from the very small to extremely large, depending on the application.
'We have the ability to maximise the use of various conductive materials when they are incorporated into a variety of insulate materials like polymers, which means we have scope to make sensors that can be used to monitor tissue right through to devices that can be incorporated into industrial pipelines,' said Dr Patel.
Dr Patel delivered his award lecture at the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences UKPharmSci 2103 conference held in Edinburgh.