Professor Chris Rhodes

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Chris Rhodes
About
Research

About

I began my career in industry, and then attended the University of Sussex, obtaining both my BSc and DPhil there, followed by a 2 year period as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Leicester with Professor M.C.R.Symons, FRS.

Subsequently, I worked for 2 years as a lecturer in Physical Chemistry at Thames Polytechnic, before moving to Queen Mary and Westfield College (University of London) as a lecturer in Organic Chemistry, where I remained for 5 years, until being appointed as Research Professor (Full) in Chemistry at Liverpool John Moores University, in my early 30s.

I was awarded a Higher Doctorate (DSc) by the University of Sussex, and have been elected to Fellowships of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), the Linnean Society of London (FLS), and the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

I am currently director of the independent consultancy (Fresh-lands Environmental Actions), which deals with environmental and energy topics. I was an advisor to the European Commission "Biofuel Cities" initiative and on competitive low-carbon energy technologies, including advanced biofuels.

I have published over 250 peer reviewed academic papers, which have received around 20,000 citations. 

I am Corresponding Author of the "World Scientists' Warnings into Action, Local to Global" framework paper, published during the COP26 climate change conference; to date, this has been signed by over 3,000 scientists from 110+ nations around the world.

I have given invited lectures at numerous international conferences and universities around the world, and at diverse popular science venues, e.g. Cafe Scientifique, along with radio and televised interviews. I have published collections of poetry, a black comedy novel, and an award winning children's picture book, "Hippy the Happy Hippopotamus", which has been described as a modern day eco-parable. I am a Board Member of Scientists Warning Europe, and Chair of Transition Town Reading

Academic responsibilities

Visiting Professor

Qualifications

  • BSc
  • DPhil
  • DSc
  • FRSC
  • FRSA
  • FLS

Research

 Research Highlights.

  • Use of molecular probes in studies of pesticide and radioactive waste absorption by soils.
  • Studies of electron transfer agents in environmental remediation.
  • Nuclear magnetic relaxometry measurements of pore-confined fluids.
  • Screening "antioxidants" in their effectiveness to ameliorate biological and environmental free-radical damage.
  • Development of potential drugs for the treatment of diseases related to oxidative-stress: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Menke's, Wilson's.
  • Role of antioxidants in ameliorating damage to DNA by Reactive Oxygen Species: using EPR and electrophoresis methods.
  • Activation of natural clinoptilolite zeolite for cleaning liquid nuclear waste.
  • Monitoring of the gel-sol-xerogel formation process with various spin-probes.
  • Study of free radical molecular diffusion in zeolite catalysts, under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions.
  • Monitoring toxic, atmospheric particulate matter.
  • Reaction of atmospheric pollutants on reactive surfaces, as present in the atmosphere.
  • Identification of radical cation intermediates in zeolite mediated reactions
  • Determination of the reactivity of hydrogen atoms (relevant to radiation biology) toward fundamental biological molecules.
  • Study of the structure and reaction kinetics of free radicals, in relation to cellular membrane damage.
  • Sorption and diffusion of pollutant-derived radicals on the surfaces of atmospheric particulate matter.
  • Hydrocarbon activation in zeolites: formation and diffusion of reactive free radical intermediates.
  • Sorption of pollutants by clays, zeolites and porous carbon in regard to catalysis and environmental remediation.
  • Study of radiation damage in polypeptides.
  • Activation of pollutants in atmospheric aerosols by solar radiation.
  • Investigation of the early stages of UV light induced DNA and membrane damage.
  • Determination of the geometry and electronic structure of matrix isolated organic, organometallic and bridgehead free radicals, and radical ions.
  • Development of a spin-probe technique for the study of polymer curing processes.
  • Identification of a human behavioural crisis being at the root of ecological overshoot, and as a potential point of intervention.
  • Identification of six key areas where human ecological overshoot may be tackled.

Qualifications and expertise

  • BSc, DPhil, DSc

Areas of specialism

  • Energy
  • Magnetic resonance
  • Environmental remediation
  • Chemistry
  • Biomedical sciences

Scholarly affiliations

  • Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Slovak University of Technology
  • Linnean Society of London
  • Royal Society of Arts

Social media

LinkedIn