Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
Group website: www.mackenzie-lab.org
Dr Lewis E. MacKenzie is a Chancellor's Fellow in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, leading a small highly-focused interdisciplinary research team. The team’s research focuses on the development of nanosensors for biosensing, with a current focus on non-invasive measurement of blood and tissue oxygenation. The end-goal of this research is to improve the efficiency quality of hypoxia measurements in biomedical research. Dr MacKenzie is also interested in biophotonics, imaging, spectroscopy, microscopy, circularly polarised luminescence for chiral molecules, optical instrumentation, and science communication. Dr MacKenzie can offer project opportunities for masters-level and PhD students. Please email directly for details.
Career Timeline:
2021 onwards: Chancellor’s Fellow (Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde).
2020 – 2023: BBSRC Discovery Fellow (initially hosted by the Pal group at Durham, then as independent group leader at Strathclyde from 2021 onwards).
2017 – 2020: Postdoctoral Research Associate (Pal group, Department of Chemistry, Durham University).
2016 – 2017: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Millner BioNanoTechnology Group, School of Biomedical Science, University of Leeds).
2012 – 2016: PhD Researcher (Imaging Concepts Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow)
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
- Quantitative science communication: science podcast and chemistry YouTube channels
For a detailed breakdown, please visit:
Academic / Professional qualifications
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.
Expertise & Capabilities
Upconversion nanoparticles, nanosensors, biophotonics, blood oximetry, tissue optics, imaging, optical instrumentation, spectroscopy, chiral spectroscopy, circularly polarised luminescence (CPL), science communication and new media.
Teaching Interests
Dr MacKenzie currently teaches CH213 'Handling Chemical Data and Mathematics' as part of the level 2 undergraduate Chemistry curriculum.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Bachelor of Science, Physics and Astronomy (2011), University of Glasgow
Master in Science, MSc Astrophysics (2012), University of Glasgow
Doctor of Science, In vivo microvascular oximetry using multispectral imaging (2016), University of Glasgow
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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"Hand shaking" hybrid nanoparticles to generate light for advanced 3D displays and security patterns
MacKenzie, L. (Principal Investigator)
Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
1/08/24 → 31/07/25
Project: Research
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BRAINS: BRAINS Strathclyde Centre for Doctoral Training
MacKenzie, L. (Principal Investigator), Childs, P. (Principal Investigator), Witte, K. (Principal Investigator), Jimenez, M. (Principal Investigator), Chow, S. (Principal Investigator), Fu, Y. (Principal Investigator), Gomez-Roman, N. (Principal Investigator), Fazio, M. (Principal Investigator) & Reid, A. B. (Principal Investigator)
1/05/23 → …
Project: Internally funded project
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Superfluorescent upconversion nanoparticles as an emerging second generation quantum technology material
MacKenzie, L. E. & Kirton, P., 1 May 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Nanoscale Horizons.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Autoclave reactor synthesis of upconversion nanoparticles, unreported variables, and safety considerations
McGonigle, R., Glasgow, J., Houston, C., Cameron, I., Homann, C., Black, D. J., Pal, R. & MacKenzie, L. E., 6 Feb 2025, In: Communications Chemistry. 8, 7 p., 36.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Supporting data and software for: Low-temperature open-air synthesis of PVP-coated NaYF4:Yb,Er,Mn upconversion nanoparticles with strong red emission
MacKenzie, L. (Creator), Àlvarez Ruiz, D. (Creator) & Pal, R. (Creator), Zenodo, 29 Aug 2023
Dataset
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Supplementary material from "Low-temperature open-air synthesis of PVP-coated NaYF4:Yb,Er,Mn upconversion nanoparticles with strong red emission"
Mackenzie, L. E. (Contributor), Alvarez-Ruiz, D. (Creator) & Pal, R. (Creator), figshare, 29 Aug 2023
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5767123.v1
Dataset
Prizes
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Exciting Upconversion Nanoparticles
MacKenzie, L. (Speaker)
18 Feb 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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BAM, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin (Germany)
MacKenzie, L. (Visiting researcher)
17 Jan 2025Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Visiting an external organisation