Professor Karen Faulds has been included in the Power List compiled by Analytical Scientist magazine. The annual list is this year focused on the top 10 analytical scientists in 10 different fields and names Professor Faulds in the Spectroscopy category.
Professor Faulds specialises in the spectroscopic technique known as SERS (surface enhanced Raman scattering), in which she explores new approaches to bioanalysis for use in the life and clinical sciences. This has a range of applications, including the detection of biomarkers such as proteins and DNA for disease diagnosis, as well as detection of specific bacteria strains.
SERS has the advantage of sensitivity of detection and the ability to obtain a large amount of information in a single measurement, allowing multiple biomarkers to be detected in one sample.
Current research by Professor Faulds explores the detection of biomarkers related to heart disease, meningitis and sepsis, as well as detection of bacteria in food.
Professor Faulds said: “I am very honoured to be included in this prestigious list. I have always been motivated by research that has real world applications and implications and, in particular, to try to develop ways to improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease using optical spectroscopy.
“I have both studied and worked at Strathclyde, which has provided me with the ideal environment for my research. The SERS technology offers significant advantages over other techniques and we use this to create new examples of increased capability in life science applications.”
The Analytical Scientist accolade is the latest in a series won by Professor Faulds in recent years. In 2016, she won the Coblentz Society’s Craver Award, presented to young professional spectroscopists who have made significant contributions in applied analytical vibrational spectroscopy. In the same year, Analytical Scientist named her as one of the world’s top 50 women in analytical science.
In 2013, Professor Faulds won the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Joseph Black Award, presented to early career scientists in any field covering the practice and teaching of analytical science.
The Analytical Scientist Power List is produced to ’celebrate the great work of analytical scientists all over the world.’
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