About the lecture
Professor Roach’s inaugural lecture explores what it means to be an interdisciplinary scientist. He will draw on his personal journey, rooted in fundamental chemistry and extending across materials science, bioengineering and environmental research.
Highlighting the central role of surface and interface science in his work, he will explain the importance of understanding how molecules interact with materials and living systems, and how these interactions can be probed using advanced analytical tools.
Drawing on research – spanning biological computing, including brain-on-a-chip systems, cancer diagnostics and the detection of microplastics and environmental change – he will demonstrate how understanding molecular level information can help address complex challenges across disciplines.
Alongside this own scientific journey, he will reflect on his determination to support and develop others.
He mentors researchers within his group, contributes to the wider scientific community through the Royal Society of Chemistry and serves is President of the UK Society for Biomaterials, having progressed from student member to leadership. He has also contributed to the development of the Society for Natural Sciences and worked closely with colleagues within the Centre for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine.
Ultimately, he will argue that interdisciplinary science is driven by people, ideas and connections that enable new ways of thinking about science and its impact on society.
About the lecturer
Professor Paul Roach is a leading interdisciplinary scientist, tackling global challenges and advancing fundamental research into the complex interactions between materials and biological systems. His research spans chemistry, materials science and bioengineering, focusing on surface and interface design.
He integrates techniques from chemistry, particularly vibrational spectroscopy, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, with microfabrication and interface engineering to investigate interactions between materials and biological systems.
These approaches are applied across diverse areas, including cancer diagnostics, the detection and characterisation of environmental microplastics, the analysis of plant and environmental materials, and the study of chemical information preserved in historical specimens.
A major focus of his work is the development of advanced biomaterials and in vitro models for biomedical applications, including next-generation brain-on-a-chip systems.
By combining surface patterning, protein functionalisation and cellular engineering, his research aims to create physiologically relevant platforms that mimic aspects of human neural circuitry.
This contributes to the development of human-based experimental systems that can reduce reliance on animal models, improve translational relevance and enable more predictive and ethically responsible research.
For further information on this lecture, please contact the Events team.
