Dr Lewis MacKenzie
Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Personal statement
I am a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Chancellor's Fellow in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry. My group's research primarily focuses on the development of photonic upconversion nanoparticle (UCNPs) systems for biomedical applications. My research group has leading equipment for the synthesis and application of UCNPs, including a high-safety autoclave reactor, a microwave reactor, and the UK's only dedicated upconversion spectrometer. My background is interdisciplinary, spanning biophotonic applications in physics and chemistry. Beyond UCNPs, my research interests include biophotonics, imaging, spectroscopy, microscopy, circularly polarised luminescence (CPL), optical instrumentation, and quantative science communication research. I can offer project opportunities for masters-level and PhD students. Please email me for details. For more details, please my group website: www.mackenzie-lab.org
Area of Expertise
Upconversion nanoparticles, nanosensors, biophotonics, blood oximetry, tissue optics, imaging, optical instrumentation, spectroscopy, chiral spectroscopy, circularly polarised luminescence (CPL), science communication and new media.
Prize And Awards
- Light and Science Applications (Nature): Monthly Editor's Pick Reviewer Award
- Recipient
- 12/2025
- Royal Society University Research Fellowhsip
- Recipient
- 2025
- IOP 3 Minute Wonder UK Grand Final
- Recipient
- 17/5/2022
- Postgraduate Course in Science Communication. Invited lecture.
- Recipient
- 9/2020
- Institute of Physics, 3 Minute Wonder, North East England Heat Winner
- Recipient
- 11/2019
- ‘ACTION for Impact’ Pitch Competition Runner Up.
- Recipient
- 2019
Qualifications
2025. Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. Advance HE. In recognition of attainment against the Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education
Ph.D. 2016. School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow. Thesis title: 'In vivo oximetry using multispectral imaging'. Supervisor: Prof. Andy Harvey.
M.Sc. Astrophysics. 2012. School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow.
B.Sc. (Hons). Physics and Astronomy. 2011. School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow.
Publications
- Observation of Rayleigh optical activity for chiral molecules : a new chiroptical tool
- McArthur Duncan, Alexakis Emmanouil I, Puente Andrew R, McGonigle Rebecca, Love Andrew J, Polavarapu Prasad L, Barron Laurence D, MacKenzie Lewis E, Arnold Aidan S, Cameron Robert P
- Journal of Physical Chemistry A Vol 129, pp. 11884-11887 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.5c05516
- Investigation of the robustness of Rayleigh optical activity for the assignment of absolute configurations of chiral molecules
- Puente Andrew, McArthur Duncan, Alexakis Emmanouil, MacKenzie Lewis, Cameron Robert P, Barron Laurence, Polavarapu Prasad
- (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-r972r
- Exploring overlooked variables in upconversion nanoparticle synthesis : getting the basics in place for future biomedical applications
- MacKenzie Lewis
- SHIFT 2025: Spectral shaping for biomedical and energy applications (2025)
- Superfluorescent upconversion nanoparticles as an emerging second generation quantum technology material
- MacKenzie Lewis E, Kirton Peter
- Nanoscale Horizons Vol 10, pp. 1242-1249 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NH00651H
- Autoclave reactor synthesis of upconversion nanoparticles, unreported variables, and safety considerations
- McGonigle Rebecca, Glasgow Jodie, Houston Catriona, Cameron Iain, Homann Christian, Black Dominic J, Pal Robert, MacKenzie Lewis E
- Communications Chemistry Vol 8 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-025-01415-3
- Analysis of over 1,600 chemistry YouTube channels from 2005 to 2023
- Gardner Scott, Bezati Gabriela, Godfrey Tristen, Baird Katie, Bilal Usamah, Loudon Emma, Young Rhona, MacKenzie Lewis E
- Royal Society Open Science Vol 12 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241599
Teaching
Dr MacKenzie currently teaches CH213 'Handling Chemical Data and Mathematics' as part of the level 2 undergraduate Chemistry curriculum.
Research Interests
The MacKenzie NanoBioPhotonics group currently focus on these interdisciplinary research themes:
- Upconversion nanoparticles: synthesis, design, and functionalization.
- Nanobiosensing: oxygen measurement in blood, cells, and tissue.
- Applied optics: imaging and spectroscopy
- Chiral nanomaterials and chiral spectroscopy, particularly circularly polarised luminescence.
- Quantitative science communication: science podcast and chemistry YouTube channels
For a detailed breakdown, please visit:
https://mackenzie-lab.org/research-areas
Professional Activities
- Nature (Journal)
- Peer reviewer
- 2026
- Promotional material for Edinburgh Instruments FS5 V2 spectrometer
- Recipient
- 17/12/2025
- Two Strathclyde Uni researchers receive grants worth more than £1.8m.
- Recipient
- 18/9/2025
- Strathclyde Scientists Win £1.8M to Tackle Cancer and Quantum Tech
- Recipient
- 18/9/2025
- Strathclyde researchers receive Royal Society fellowships of over £1.8 million
- Recipient
- 18/9/2025
- Strathclyde Scientists Win Prestigious Royal Society Funding for Cancer and Quantum Research
- Recipient
- 18/9/2025
Projects
- Cancer-Targeting Upconversion Nanoparticles to Track-and-Treat Glioblastoma
- MacKenzie, Lewis (Principal Investigator) Chow, Shiao (Co-investigator) Gomez-Roman, Natividad (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2025 - 31-Jan-2027
- Breaking Barriers in Upconversion Nanoparticle Research: Improving Accessibility and Enabling (University Research Fellowship)
- MacKenzie, Lewis (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2033
- EPSRC Core Equipment Maintenance Award: CD
- Chow, Shiao (Principal Investigator) Edkins, Robert (Principal Investigator) MacKenzie, Lewis (Principal Investigator)
- £12,576
- 13-Jan-2024 - 12-Jan-2025
- "Hand shaking" hybrid nanoparticles to generate light for advanced 3D displays and security patterns
- MacKenzie, Lewis (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2024 - 31-Jan-2026
- Versatile high-capacity high-speed benchtop centrifuge for multiple users
- MacKenzie, Lewis (Principal Investigator)
- a modern high speed refrigerated centrifuge with interchangeable carbon fibre rotors (up to 15 year lifespan) to provide for a wide variety of users applications, including 50 mL conical tubes, 15 mL conical tubes, 1.5 -2 mL Eppendorf tubes, and multi-well microplates. Max relative centrifugal force (RCF) up to 25,830 times gravity (Xg). Includes touch screen controls, quick rotor change features, self-diagnostic features, energy saving design, and advanced ergonomic features to meet the needs of multiple users.
- 01-Jan-2022 - 01-Jan-2023
- Functional nanoparticle constructs for biosensing: optimised core synthesis, mesoporous shell formation, and dye-loading.
- MacKenzie, Lewis (Principal Investigator)
- E21-5833576777
- 01-Jan-2022 - 01-Jan-2023
Contact
Dr
Lewis
MacKenzie
Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Email: l.mackenzie@strath.ac.uk
Tel: 444 7068