Professor Matthew Gibson - 2024 Corday-Morgan Mid-Career Prizes for Chemistry winner

Professor Matthew Gibson FRSC

Winner: 2024 Corday-Morgan Mid-Career Prize for Chemistry

The University of Manchester

For transformative contributions in polymer and biomaterials science, particularly for the development of materials to stabilise biologics.

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Don’t let outdated images of scientists or old-fashioned prescriptive descriptions of what chemistry is hold you back.

Storing and transporting biological materials is crucial to modern life, from frozen food to the safe delivery of blood transfusions, stem cells, or even organs. Professor Gibson and his team have learned from some of nature’s toughest organisms, which can survive sub-zero temperatures, to develop new materials which can protect biopharmaceuticals against cold stress.

Read winner biography

Professor Matthew Gibson holds a Chair of Sustainable Biomaterials at the University of Manchester. His team are developing bio-inspired materials to address challenges in health and biotechnology.

Matt completed his MChem and PhD at the University of Durham before undertaking postdoctoral research at EPFL in Switzerland. He was (until 2023) an Assistant, Associate and finally Full Professor at the University of Warwick, holding a joint appointment between Chemistry and the Medical School. Matt is co-founder of the biotechnology company Cryologyx Ltd and a former Royal Society Industry Fellow (with Cytiva). He is also a current ERC Consolidator grantee.

His team’s work has been recognised with awards, including the RSC Macro and Carbohydrate Group Young Researcher medals (2012/2015), the McBain Medal (2021) and an RSC Horizon Prize (2022).

Q&A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

My sixth form teacher was really supportive of me, but what got me hooked on polymer chemistry was my master's project with Lian Hutchings at Durham, which led me to pursue a PhD in this field.

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

I know I am fortunate as there is a long list of people who (still) help me. I’ll mention my postdoc supervisor, Professor Harm-Anton Klok, who always has time to answer the phone, even whilst being head of a major research and teaching institute.

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

Go for it. Don’t let anyone suggest that if you are the first or the tenth person you know to study the subject that it matters. Don’t let outdated images of scientists or old-fashioned prescriptive descriptions of what chemistry is hold you back.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

It’s not my expertise, but emerging therapies and diagnostics for neurodegenerative diseases, such as the antibodies which can slow dementia progression. The societal needs for these are huge.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Moving my lab to Manchester in October last year was a big undertaking. It has been exciting, and the new environment is incredibly stimulating. However, in making this move, I made a big impact on my team members’ lives and careers, and I am grateful for their support!

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

A lot of problems we face now are those where great strides were made in the past (cheap energy, cheap food, clean water). Chemistry is essential for society to progress with sustainable solutions for the 21st century. In a specific example, cryoscience is enabling complex cold chains to deliver complex therapies (e.g. mRNA vaccines) intact and ready to use.

What is your favourite element?

It is tempting to say a hard-to-pronounce, short-lived heavy element … but I will say fluorine, as I am wise enough to let our collaborators handle it so we don’t have to!