David K. Smith

David K. Smith
Alma mater University of Oxford
Known for YouTube chemistry education channel
Scientific career
Fields Nanochemistry
Institutions University of York
Website www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/academic/o-s/dsmith/

David K. Smith is a professor of chemistry at the University of York in England. His research focuses on nanochemistry and self-assembling nanomaterials.[1] Smith is also well known for his education and public outreach activities, such as his widely viewed YouTube channel dedicated to chemistry education.[2] Smith is openly gay and has been described as "one of the most visible out gay scientists."[3]

Academic career

Smith received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oxford in 1992 and his Ph.D. in 1996 under the supervision of Paul Beer, after which he was a postdoctoral fellow with François Diederich. He began his career as a lecturer at University of York in 1999 and was promoted to professor in 2006.[4]

Research

Smith's research group studies the properties of nanomaterials, particularly self-assembling molecular gels,[1] which may have a variety of practical applications including in biomaterials and in the construction of molecular electronics.[5] He became interested in applications to biomaterials after observing the medical treatments needed by his partner, who suffers from cystic fibrosis,[1][3] and has studied the potential applications of nanogels in drug delivery.[6][7]

Smith was awarded the Bob Hay Lectureship in 2011 and the Corday Morgan Award in 2012 by the Royal Society of Chemistry in recognition of his contributions to the field.[4]

Teaching and outreach

Smith is the Chair of Teaching in the University of York Chemistry Department[4] and is well known for his interest in chemistry education and public outreach about chemistry-related topics.[2] He frequently speaks at public events and to schoolchildren about his personal experience as a scientist. He also maintains a widely followed YouTube channel for chemistry education[2][3] and has published on his experiences using video as an educational tool.[8]

Smith received the Royal Society of Chemistry Higher Education Award in 2005 and was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2013.[9]

In addition to science education work, Smith also writes about diversity in science and about the need for scientist role models from the LGBT community.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Professor David K. Smith". Department of Chemistry. University of York. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Smith, David K. (September 2011). "From crazy chemists to engaged learners through education". Nature Chemistry. 3 (9): 681–684. Bibcode:2011NatCh...3..681S. doi:10.1038/nchem.1091. ISSN 1755-4330.
  3. 1 2 3 Banham, Andrea; Mizen, Jenifer. "Professor Dave Smith FRSC". 175 Faces of Chemistry: Celebrating Diversity in Science. Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "David K. Smith - Group Leader". Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Hirst, Andrew R.; Escuder, Beatriu; Miravet, Juan F.; Smith, David K. (6 October 2008). "High-Tech Applications of Self-Assembling Supramolecular Nanostructured Gel-Phase Materials: From Regenerative Medicine to Electronic Devices". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 47 (42): 8002–8018. doi:10.1002/anie.200800022.
  6. ↑ Howe, Edward J.; Okesolaa, Babatunde O.; Smith, David K. (31 March 2015). "Self-assembled sorbitol-derived supramolecular hydrogels for the controlled encapsulation and release of active pharmaceutical ingredients". Chemical Communications. 51 (35): 7451–7454. doi:10.1039/C5CC01868D.
  7. ↑ "Student helps to discover new pain relief delivery method". Phys.org. 1 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Smith, David K. (14 October 2014). "iTube, YouTube, WeTube: Social Media Videos in Chemistry Education and Outreach". Journal of Chemical Education. 91 (10): 1594–1599. Bibcode:2014JChEd..91.1594S. doi:10.1021/ed400715s. ISSN 0021-9584.
  9. ↑ "Highlights - About staff, The University of York". www.york.ac.uk. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  10. ↑ Smith, David K. (1 April 2014). "'No sexuality please, we're scientists'". Chemistry World. Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
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