Prof. Nikos Hadjichristidis
Nikos Hadjichristidis Distinguished Professor of Chemical Sciences at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia. The research of Professor Hadjichristidis focuses mainly on the synthesis of novel homopolymers and copolymers with well-defined complex macromolecular architecture (star, comb, dendritic, cyclic, etc), by using anionic polymerization (AP) high vacuum techniques as well as, combinations of AP with other polymerizations (C1 and C3, ROP, ROMP, ATRP, etc.). These polymers are ideal models for checking theories (e.g., de Gennes tube theory and hierarchical motion theory in branched polymers), understanding/improving the performance of industrial polymers (e.g., PE and PMMA), and are potential candidates for high-tech applications (e.g., nanolithography, high-temperature membranes, and drug delivery). Lately, Professor Hadjichristidis started research on biodegradable polyethylene, vitrimers, circular polymer economy and non-covalent (hydrogen bonding, stereocomplexation)-based macromolecular architectures. He has published more than 600 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, 35 patents, is the editor of four books, including the Macromolecular Engineering, 2nd Edition, 5-volume book (Wiley 2022), and author of one book on “Block Copolymers” (Wiley 2003). Professor Hadjichristidis is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK, 2022) and has received several awards, including the Hermann F. Mark Medal (Austria, 2020); the University of Athens, Chemistry Department Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to Research, Teaching, Mentoring, and Administration in Chemistry (Greece, 2018); the Macro Group Medal for Outstanding Achievements (UK, 2016); the American Chemical Society National Award for Polymer Chemistry (USA, 2015); the American Chemical Society, Rubber Division, Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award (USA, 2011), the American Chemical Society, Polymeric Materials Science, and Engineering Division, Cooperative Research Award (USA, 2010); and the International Award of the Japanese Society of Polymer Science (Japan, 2007).