Professor Andrew Shaw

About me:

My research uses the principles of physical chemistry to make measurements on systems in Chemical Biology. We are currently developing a screening technology that will allow the concentrations of molecules in blood to be measured that may act as biomarkers of disease and extend the field of differential diagnosis. My research concentrates on the fundamental the quantitative description of measurements interpreted with a mathematical model. The research directions have led to the formation of a company to exploit the technology commercially with application in the petrochemical industry, production quality monitoring and Homeland Security.

Teaching interests in the School are Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology and Forensic Science. All modules explore the quantitative interpretation of physical processes. I have written a textbook Astrochemistry: From Astronomy to Astrobiology, published by Wiley in 2006. In addition to my teaching duties I am also Study Abroad Tutor for our international exchange programme. I am a member of the Molecules and cells research group.

Research in the group is underpinned by physical chemistry and the quantitative measurements of physical, chemical, biological and medical processes. We have studied complex fluids such as blood to screen them for components that may be important in allergy, diagnosis of complications following major surgical procedures, assessment of the efficacy of vaccines and diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. These measurements require the development of three new technologies: evanescent wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy; label-free biophotonic array screening and lens-less microscope screening of phenotype variability. The development and analysis of the data quantitatively as a complex system is common to all investigations. In addition to reserach, if there is an entrepreneurial opportunity to commercialise the technology, we collabroate with industry and there are two spin-out companies, EvanesCo Ltd and Attomarker Ltd, associated with exploiting the reserach ideas.

1989-1992 PhD Physical Chemistry, University of Southampton
1985-1988, 1992 MA Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge

2007 – Present, Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry
2007 – Present, Founder and Director of Attomarker Ltd
2009 – Present, Chairman of Arkiris, KTA
2005-2007 Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, University of Exeter
2005-present Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter
2001-2005 Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Exeter
2002-present Founder and Director of Research, EvanesCo Ltd
1999-2001 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stanford University
1992-1999 University Research Fellow, University of Southampton
1999 Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
1994 Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry