Dr Paolo Bombelli, Public Engagement with Research Award winner 2016

Dr Paolo Bombelli is a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Professor Christopher Howe, in the Department of Biochemistry. His research looks to utilise the photosynthetic chemistry of plants to create biophotovoltaic devices, a sustainable source of solar power. For over five years, Dr Bombelli has been taking his research out of the lab to science festivals, schools and design fairs; tailoring his approach to a wider variety of audiences. Through his engagement, he has reached thousands of people, in multiple countries, and is currently developing an educational toolkit to further engage school students with advances in biophotovoltaic technology. Dr Bombelli’s public engagement work has also advanced his research, namely through a transition from using algae to moss in live demonstrations. This development has forged a new line of research enquiry, and has led to publications, emphasising the benefits to researchers of engaging audiences in a hands-on way with experimental science.
To find out more about our Public Engagement with Research Awards visit our webpage. Entries for the 2017 Awards close on the 21 April 2017.