Rasmita Raval is a Professor in Chemistry and Director of the Surface Science Research Centre at the University of Liverpool. She is also founder and Director of ‘The Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces’ and co-founder and co-Director of the UK ‘National Biofilms Innovation Centre’, a £50M Innovation and Knowledge Centre funded by UKRI and Industry that is now a global leader in the field.

Her innovation team at Liverpool translates frontier research into technology platforms, with a focus on antimicrobial, anti-viral and anti-infective surfaces and materials. These activities have generated a vibrant innovation ecosystem, enabling over 300 collaborative partnerships with multinationals, SMEs and spinouts across multiple technology sectors, alongside healthcare stakeholders and regional, national and international agencies.

The success of these innovation activities arises from connecting cutting edge interdisciplinary science –from physics, engineering and chemistry to life and clinical sciences – to drive platform technologies and innovation across multiple industry sectors.