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Staff Profile

Professor Mike Probert

Professor of Structural Chemistry, Head of Crystallography, Undergraduate Admissions Tutor

  • Telephone: 01912087123
  • Address: Chemistry
    School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
    Bedson Building
    Newcastle University
    Kings Road
    NE1 7RU
Background

Prof. Mike Probert completed his PhD with Prof. Judith A.K. Howard at Durham University, where he remained as a PDRA and later as a Senior Research Fellow designing and building new single crystal X-ray diffraction equipment. The hardware developed, coupled with novel computational advances, formed a unique diffraction facility for the investigation of crystalline materials under extreme conditions.


Mike was appointed as a lecturer in Chemistry in 2013 and moved his bespoke facility to Newcastle University. He has since expanded the X-ray diffraction and crystallisation capabilities at Newcastle through both internal (Research Investment Fund) and external research council (EPSRC) funding. These expansions have enhanced the facility to generate a world leading laboratory, that now forms part of the National Crystallography Service for the UK. Mike was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2019 and to Professor of Structural Chemistry in 2023.


Mike is the Admissions Tutor for all Undergraduate Chemistry courses and has previously held the roles of Degree Programme Director (DPD) for Undergraduate Chemistry BSc and MChem courses (2016 - 2019) and Research Group Lead for Energy Structure and Dynamics (2019 - 2022).


Mike's personal research group webpages can be found through this link




Research

Mike's research interests include: studying the structure/property correlations of molecular systems under extreme conditions, ranging from simple organic compounds that exist as liquids under ambient conditions, to complex multi-dimensional systems that undergo novel phase changes upon cooling and/or the application of pressure; the polymorphic nature of compounds in the solid state; and the accurate experimental determination of electron densities of crystalline materials. Additionally Mike has pioneered developments in modern crystallisation methods, developing the Encapsulated Nanodroplet Crystallisation (ENaCt) processes. These areas are all aided by the development of highly specialized equipment and novel experimental design that form an integral aspect to his research portfolio.

Teaching

Prof Probert teaches various topics within chemistry contributing to courses:


Mathematical Skills for Chemists (NES1405)

Inorganic Chemistry (NES1403)

Advanced Structural Chemistry (NES3408)

Chemistry Far from Equilibrium (NES8405)

Chemistry Research Project (NES8400)


Prof Probert also demonstrates undergraduate practicals and tutors first year inorganic chemistry.


Publications