Dr Baljit Kaur Thatti (née Ghatora)
Faculties, departments and locations
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry
- Penrhyn Road
Head of Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Professor in Analytical & Forensic Chemistry
- Email:
- [email protected]
About
My research on ophthalmic materials and analytical techniques applied in the analysis of materials gained first prize in the Annual Materials, Minerals and Mining conference, and was also displayed at the Houses of Parliament.
I have strong industrial links that help feed into research-informed teaching and help collaborate with research grant applications. I am a futuristic diverse leader that has achieved certificate of the ILM "Different leaders Executive Development Programme" and has taken part in the StellarHE leadership programme.
I have established, led and maintained active research programmes in the interdisciplinary field of medical devices and the application of analytical science to Forensics/criminology. I am a Bond Solon trained expert witness.
Research grants include:
- Royal Society of Chemistry researcher mobility and early career research grants to the value of £5,000
- £130,000 Innovate UK grant
I am equally passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and have led on university-wide initiatives for outreach programmes as well as being engaged in creating an inclusive environment in chemistry and related subjects. These initiatives have led to some of the following grants:
- RSC missing elements grant (£97,000)
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion grant "Supporting inclusion and encouraging diversity in Chemistry - where do you see yourself?: £2,500
- Royal Society Partnership grant: £2,000
- RSC outreach grant for a "Chemistry Art collaboration": £2,500
I have gained experience in applying and providing supporting documents for accreditation of degrees, as well as validation of internal and external programmes. I was responsible for setting up and managing the departments personal tutor system and was awarded the Student Led Personal Tutor of The Year award in 2016. I am an ambassador of equality and diversity and have nationally assessed Athena SWAN applications as well as National Panel Chair for Race Equality Charter.
Qualifications
- PhD Analytical Chemistry & Materials Science
- BSc Pharmaceutical Science
- Senior Fellow of Advance HE
- Bond Solon trained expert witness
Domains
Qualifications
- Senior Fellow of Advance HE
- Diploma of Education & Training (DET)
- Award in Education & Training (AET)
- Bond Solon Trained Expert Witness
Course director
Courses taught
I have built a strong interest in analytical techniques used in materials and forensic research. I have supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate students within this interdisciplinary research area, including applying analytical techniques to blood pattern analysis, plasticisers in polymers, aging and degradation studies, sterilisation studies and biomaterial applications. I was awarded a knowledge transfer partnership grant (£130,000) to collaborate with a world leading intraocular lens manufacturer to investigate the development of new ophthalmic materials. This area of research has gained interest with international university collaborations and subsequent grants are currently being prepared with Erasmus partners.
More recently, I have been awarded an RSC award to supervise analytical-based research with undergraduate students in collaboration with a contact lens manufacturer. Equally I have gained funding from the Royal Society Partnership grant to promote the application of "chemistry" in Forensic science.
RSC admissions committee member
This role involves considering and advising the Professional Standards Board on the admission of members to the Royal Society of Chemistry and on the professional designation of Chartered Chemist. This role has an impact on the wider chemistry community.
Bond Salon trained expert
I am trained to be able to provide scientific expertise in forensic case work.
STEM NET ambassador
Within this volunteering role I engage in designing and delivering activities to local primary, secondary and college students with the aims of raising aspirations, illuminating careers and supporting their curriculum learning.
Certified Mentor (Royal Society of Chemistry & recognised by UK National Mentoring Consortium)
As a certified mentor I have been matched up with individuals across the UK where I provide mentoring to help individuals pursue personal and professional development.
Mentee quotes: "Baljit has had an impact of how I see myself as a merging professional within the institution", "Baljit provided me with a clear understanding of how to progress within the university and deeper understanding of my own career goals".
- Kingston Educational Trust Trustee
- OCN Access to HE Diploma Validation Panel Member
- I'm A Scientist Get Me Out of Here Volunteer (2015)
I volunteered to be involved in the online "I'm a Scientist get me out of here" event that takes place annually, where schools and colleges submit questions to be answered by researchers/professionals within science. The impact report can be found here.
Professional and scholarly affiliations
- Fellow RSC
- Member Chartered Society of Forensic Science
- Member of Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University Roles
- As the University Co-Chair for the Race Equality Charter Mark (2020-present) I am working towards creating a more inclusive culture at Kingston University for both staff and students.
- Having completed the Stellar HE leadership programme, I have gone onto take part in several external events focussed on creating a diverse leadership pool such as "Different Women, Different Places"
Qualifications and expertise
- ILM
- Advance HE-Race Equality Charter Mark Panel Chair
- Royal Society of Chemistry Nominations Committee member
University responsibilities
- Race Equality Charter Co-chair
- EDI committee member
- Network of Equality Champions member
- Internal Subject Reviews and Validation Panel member
- FHEA, SFHEA applications reviewer
Public and Civic roles
- RSC Downland section committee member (EDI Lead)
- Certified Mentor (Royal Society of Chemistry & recognised by UK National Mentoring Consortium)
- Kingston Educational Trust Trustee
- Advance HE- Race Equality Charter Mark Panel Chair
- RSC Admissions committee member
Gallery of work
-
Collection of Race Equality Charter Award 2019
Videos of my work
-
Kingston University staff members discuss importance of global study into diverse female leaders