Current Position:
Nahum Guzik Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry
Institution:
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Discipline:
Biochemistry & Structural Biology
Recognized for: Pioneering research on how organisms create crystals, revealing the biological processes underlying their formation and the unique ways they interact with light, leading to the emerging field of ‘organic biomineralization’ and inspiring sustainable optical materials.
Areas of Research Interest and Expertise: Bio-crystallization, Bio-inspired materials, Biological optics, Molecular crystals, Cryo-electron microscopy
Previous Positions:
MChem in Chemistry, Cardiff University, U.K
PhD in Chemistry, Cardiff University, U.K. (Advisor: Prof. Kenneth Harris)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Swansea University/Texas A&M, U.K./USA (Advisor: Prof. Steve Wilks)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Weizmann Institute of Science (Advisors: Prof. Lia Addadi and Prof. Steve Weiner)
Research Summary:
Benjamin Palmer, PhD, explores how animals create optically functional organic crystals, inspiring the development of sustainable alternatives to toxic inorganic materials used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The work has uncovered new classes of biogenic crystals with exceptional optical properties and elucidated the chemical strategies that organisms use to exquisitely control their structural properties. Palmer’s discoveries have led to the emergence of ‘organic biomineralization’ as a new field of chemistry, offering valuable insights for designing novel molecular crystals with advanced optical properties.
“This generous award recognizes the contribution of my team to a new field – organic biomineralization. This journey has shown how seemingly esoteric biological systems can teach us new and surprising principles in the chemistry and optics of crystals.”
2024 Tenne Family Prize for Nanoscale Science, Israel Chemical Society 2022 Toronto Prize for Research Excellence, Ben-Gurion University 2022-2025 HFSP Research Grant 2020-2026 European Research Council Starting Grant 2019-2022 Azrieli Faculty Fellowship, Azrieli Foundation 2019 ‘Nahum Guzik Presidential Recruit’, Ben-Gurion University 2018 Feinberg Graduate School Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Postdoctoral Research, Weizmann Institute 2015 Human Frontiers Science Program Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship 2014 Koshland Prize, Weizmann Institute of Science