Dr Niloufar Raeis-Hosseini

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.