Dr Alexandra Gibbs

Winner: 2023 Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prize

University of St Andrews

For unravelling how structure drives functionality to aid the discovery and understanding of quantum and functional materials.

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Chemistry, by and large, is the only science where you can truly create new materials and modify existing ones at a fundamental level.

Dr Gibbs’ work focuses on making new materials with unusual magnetic and electronic properties. These properties are always intimately linked to the crystal structure and chemical makeup of the compound. Understanding these links gives fundamental insight into the endless and fascinating complexity of materials.

The compounds which Dr Gibbs’ group studies are typically at the very 'blue sky' stage of research, but underlying considerations are driven by societal challenges requiring new, non-toxic and sustainable functional and quantum materials for future technologies. The group are always investigating how they can control and tune these new electronic and magnetic states such that one day they might be relevant for devices and contribute to future technologies.

Read winner biography

Alex completed her MPhys at the University of St Andrews in 2008 after originally starting out in chemistry. She stayed there for her interdisciplinary PhD with Prof. P. Lightfoot and Prof. A. P. Mackenzie on structure-property relationships and emergent states in transition metal oxides. Following this, Alex took up opportunities to conduct research in Japan (at the University of Tokyo and RIKEN) and Germany (Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart) focusing on the exploration of new quantum materials. With neutron scattering being a key experimental tool for her work, she then moved to a permanent position at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in Oxfordshire to follow her continued interest in high resolution neutron diffraction. These research streams have now converged in her EPSRC Early Career Fellowship at the School of Chemistry at St Andrews in association with the Crystallography Group at ISIS. Her research is at the chemistry–physics boundary, studying structure–property relationships in quantum and functional materials.

Q&A

What motivates you?

The wonder of serendipitous discoveries in the lab is a constant motivator - you never know what your latest synthesis will produce. Chemical space is amazingly large and we still have very limited predictive powers. The joy of tackling (and occasionally solving) puzzles adds to this to make my work so enjoyable day-to-day. I also find interactions with other scientists across all disciplines incredibly eye-opening and motivating - there is always something to take away even if the science seems at the other end of the spectrum to mine.

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

There are so many different paths you can take and chemistry is so relevant to both everyday societal challenges and the fundamental understanding of our world. If you enjoy chemistry, a degree is a great starting point for a career and you never know where it will take you.

Why is chemistry important?

Chemistry, by and large, is the only science where you can truly create new materials and modify existing ones at a fundamental level. This is the most amazing characteristic and really cements chemistry as the 'central science'.

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

A good research culture is enquiring, positive and inclusive. We all have the shared goal of understanding our world and a creative, collaborative and supportive culture is essential to drive this forward.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Teamwork is a hugely positive component of scientific research. I have had the luck to have worked with such a variety of scientists from different backgrounds and this has made all the difference in challenging confirmation bias and accepted wisdom in my thinking. My team currently involves people across the chemistry-physics spectrum and the complementarity is a constant motivator and source of both creative ideas and solutions to problems.

What is your favourite element?

Osmium - I have a very strong attachment to ruthenium and iridium but the unique and highly flexible nature of osmium's chemistry and effects on physical properties makes it truly special.