Dr Lewis Baker
Academic and research departments
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.About
Biography
Lewis is a Senior Lecturer who currently teaches both the ENG0013 - Principles of Engineering and Physical Science and ENG0015 - Physics A modules on the Foundation Year programme at the University of Surrey, achieving FHEA status in 2019, SFHEA status in 2021 and CSciTeach in 2023. For recognition of the sustained development and success of this programme, the Foundation Year team won the 2023 CATE award from AdvanceHE.
Lewis' research interests lie within the fields of ultrafast photochemistry and electronic structure theory with a growing influence on educational fields such as teaching pedagogy. Recent focuses have been on the photodeactivation mechanisms in biologically relevant ultraviolet chromophores, tackling the propagation of educational neuromyths, and the utility of distributed practice in curriculum design.
Most recently, Lewis completed a PGCE and a Master of Arts degree in Education with the University of Cumbria awarded with distinction.
Before appointment at the University of Surrey, Lewis trained as a secondary school teacher receiving qualified teacher status (QTS) in 2018, teaching Key Stage 3, G.C.S.E and A-Level groups. Prior to this, Lewis completed an MSc with distinction and a PhD in Mathematical Biology and Biophysical Chemistry at the University of Warwick over the course of 2013-2017. His thesis title was "Understanding electronic energy transport in biologically relevant systems: The photochemistry of sunscreens and the photophysics of photosynthesis", herein the focus was on the ultraviolet absorption and deactivation mechanisms present in biologically relevant systems (such as plants or sunscreens). This utilised a combination of femtosecond pump-probe laser spectroscopy and ab initio electronic structure calculations.
Also at the University of Warwick, Lewis completed undergraduate studies in the Department of Physics gaining a first-class honours degree in Physics (BSc MPhys) during 2009-2013.
Areas of specialism
University roles and responsibilities
- Programme Lead - Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics, and Computing Foundation Years
- External Examiner for the University of Reading
- Examinations Officer for E&PS and Mathematics Foundation Year programmes
- Academic Integrity Officer - E&PS and Mathematics Foundation Year programmes
- Module Leader, ENG0013 - Prinicples of Engineering and Physical Science
- Module Leader, ENG0015 - Physics A
- Member of the Digital Education Network
- Previously: Academic member of Senate (2021-23)
Affiliations and memberships
Awards and nominations
- Winner: Collaborative Award in Teaching Excellence (CATE), 2023, AdvanceHe.
- Winner: Vice Chancellor's Collaborative Teaching Award, 2022, University of Surrey.
- Nominee: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Early-Career Teacher of the Year, 2021, University of Surrey.
- Winner: Postgraduate Highest Academic Achievement Prize, 2020, University of Cumbria.
- Winner: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Early-Career Teacher of the Year, 2020, University of Surrey.
- Winner: Faculty of Science PhD Thesis Prize, 2017, University of Warwick.
- Winner: Department of Chemistry Publication Prize, 2017, University of Warwick.
- Spotlight article selected by Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters for: Ultrafast Transient Absorption Spectroscopy of the Sunscreen Constituent Ethylhexyl Triazone, 2017, 8 (10), 2113-2118.
News
In the media
Teaching
2023-2024
- Module leader: ENG0013 - Principles of Engineering and Physical Science
- Module leader: ENG0015 - Physics A
- Pedagogical teaching: PHY3063 - Education and Public Engagement in Science
- Teaching support: ENG0018 - Computer Laboratory (MATLAB).
- Teaching support: ENG0014 - EP&S Laboratory (Chemistry Labs)
2022-2023
- Module leader: ENG0013 - Principles of Engineering and Physical Science
- Module leader: ENG0015 - Physics A
- Pedagogical teaching: PHY3063 - Education and Public Engagement in Science
- Teaching support: ENG0018 - Computer Laboratory (MATLAB).
- Teaching support: ENG0014 - EP&S Laboratory (Chemistry Labs)
2021-2022
- Module leader: ENG0013 - Principles of Engineering and Physical Science
- Module leader: ENG0015 - Physics A
- Teaching support: ENG0018 - Computer Laboratory (MATLAB).
2020-2021
- Module leader: ENG0013 - Principles of Engineering and Physical Science
- Module leader: ENG0015 - Physics A
- Teaching support: ENG0018 - Computer Laboratory (MATLAB).
2019-2020
- Module leader: ENG0013 - Principles of Engineering and Physical Science
- Module leader: ENG0015 - Physics A
- Teaching support: ENG0014 - EP&S Laboratory (MATLAB workshop)
2018-2019
- Module leader: ENG0015 - Physics A
- Module leader: ENG0017 - Chemistry
- Teaching support: ENG0014 - EP&S Laboratory (Chemistry Labs)
Publications
Highlights
[36] Lewis A. Baker. Teaching Philosophy Statements: what are they and how do I write one? Research Hub: Chartered College of Teaching, 2023, Published online at: https://my.chartered.college/research-hub/teaching-philosophy-statements-what-are-they-andhow-do-i-write-one/
[35] Lewis A. Baker* and Marion Heron. Advocating for oracy: supporting student success in Foundation Year study. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 2023, 0(0): 1-15.
[34] Lewis A. Baker* and Dona Wilani Dynatra Subasinghe. Student use and perceptions of embedded formative assessments in a basic science veterinary programme. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. 2023: e20230011.
[33] Lewis A. Baker* and Carol Spencely. Is hybrid teaching delivering equivalent learning for students in higher education? Journal of Further and Higher Education, 2023, 47(5):674-686.
[32] Caitlin Parker and Lewis A. Baker*. A case for providing bespoke internal CPD to help ensure equable SEND provisions across the profession. Impact: Journal of the Chartered College of Teaching, 2023, 1(17). Available online: https://my.chartered.college/impact_article/a-case-for-providing-bespok…;
[31] Carol Spencely, Lewis A. Baker* and Alison M. Taylor. Creating Communities of Learning via Academic Support: Scientists, Engineers and Mathematicians Don't Just 'Do' Equations. Journal of the Foundation Year Network. 2022, 5, 23-34.
[30] Lewis A. Baker*. The utility of distributed practice in curriculum design and effective learning strategies. Impact: Journal of the Chartered College of Teaching, 2022, 1(14): 17-20.
[29] Lewis A. Baker*. Teaching philosophy statements as a vehicle for critical reflection. Practitioner Research in Higher Education, 2021, 14(1):72-82.
[28] Lewis A. Baker*. The use of audio-visual lecture capture technology as a means of facilitating reflective practice. Teacher Education Advancement Network Journal, 2021, 13(1):86-99.
[27] Wen-Dong Quan, Lewis A. Baker, Richard Napier, Rachel K. O’Reilly, Vasilios G. Stavros, Michael Staniforth, and Thomas R. Wilks. Ultrafast spectroscopic investigation of discrete co-assemblies of a Zn-porphyrin–polymer conjugate with a hexapyridyl template. Chem. Phys. Lett., 2021, 777:138736.
[26] Lewis A. Baker* and Carol Spencely. Blending Microsoft Teams with Existing Teaching Environments to Increase Access, Inclusivity and Engagement. Journal of the Foundation Year Network, 2020, 3:3-20.
[25] Lewis A. Baker*. Releasing Students from the Cognitive Straitjacket of Visual-Auditory-Kinaesthetic Learning Styles. Impact: Journal of the Chartered College of Teaching, 2020, 3(10):57-60.
[24] Lewis A. Baker, Michael Staniforth, Amandine Flourat, Florent Allais, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Conservation of ultrafast photoprotective mechanisms with increasing molecular complexity in sinapoyl malate derivatives. ChemPhysChem, 2020, 21(17):2006-2011.
[23] Gerald Dampier, Lewis A. Baker*, Carol Spencely, Nicholas J. Edwards, Erivan White and Alison M. Taylor. Avoiding the Deficit Model and Defining Student Success: Perspectives from a New Foundation Year Context. Journal of the Foundation Year Network, 2019, 2:41-52.
[22] Lewis A. Baker* and Alison M. Taylor. A simple and affordable experiment to determine Reynolds number. Physics Education, 2019, 54(6):063004.
[21] L. Stephenson and Lewis A. Baker*, Plants And Their Own Photo Protective Properties, The Scholar, 2018, 1(10):33-34.
[20] Lewis A. Baker, Michael Staniforth, Amandine Flourat, Florent Allais, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Gas-solution phase transient absorption study of the plant sunscreen derivative methyl sinapate. ChemPhotoChem, 2018, 2(8):743-748.
[19] Lewis A. Baker. Understanding electronic energy transport in biologically relevant systems: The photochemistry of sunscreens and the photophysics of photosynthesis. PhD Thesis, University of Warwick, 2017, Available from: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/95685/
[18] Lewis A. Baker* and Scott Habershon. Photosynthesis, pigment-protein complexes and electronic energy transport -- simple models for complicated processes. Science Progress, 2017, 100(3):313-330.
[17] Michael Staniforth, Wen-Dong Quan, Tolga N. V. Karsili, Lewis A. Baker, Rachel K. O'Reilly, and Vasilios G. Stavros. A first step towards a universal fluorescent probe: Unravelling the photodynamics of an amino-maleimide fluorophore. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2017, 121(34):6357-6365.
[16] Lewis A. Baker* and Scott Habershon. Photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes as highly-connected networks: Implications for robust energy transport. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 2017, 473(2201):20170112.
[15] Lewis A. Baker, Barbara Marchetti, Tolga N. V. Karsili, Vasilios G. Stavros, and Michael N. R. Ashfold. Photoprotection: Extending lessons learned from studying natural sunscreens to the design of artificial sunscreen constituents. Chemical Society Reviews, 2017, 46(12):3770-3791.
[14] Lewis A. Baker*, Sarah L. Clark, Scott Habershon, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of the sunscreen constituent ethylhexyl triazone. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2017, 8(10):2113-2118.
[13] Michael D. Horbury, Lewis A. Baker, Natercia D. N. Rodrigues, Wen-Dong Quan, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Photoisomerization of ethyl ferulate: A solution phase transient absorption study. Chemical Physics Letters, 2017, 673:62-67
[12] Lewis A. Baker, Simon E. Greenough, and Vasilios G. Stavros. A perspective on the ultrafast photochemistry of solution-phase sunscreen molecules. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2016, 7(22):4655-4665.
[11] Lewis A. Baker, Lucy C. Grosvenor, Michael N. R. Ashfold, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Ultrafast photophysical studies of a multicomponent sunscreen: Oxybenzone - titanium dioxide mixtures. Chemical Physics Letters, 2016, 664:39-43.
[10] Yoann Peperstraete, Michael Staniforth, Lewis A. Baker, Natercia D. N. Rodrigues, Neil C. Cole-Filipiak, Wen-Dong Quan, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Bottom-up excited state dynamics of two cinnamate-based sunscreen filter molecules. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2016, 18(40):28140-28149.
[9] Lewis A. Baker* and Vasilios G. Stavros. Observing and understanding the ultrafast photochemistry in small molecules: Applications to sunscreens. Science Progress, 2016, 99(3):282-311
[8] Michael D. Horbury, Lewis A. Baker, Wen-Dong Quan, Simon E. Greenough, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Photodynamics of potent antioxidants: Ferulic and caffeic acids. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2016, 18(26):17691-17697.
[7] Lewis A. Baker, Michael D. Horbury, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Ultrafast photoprotective properties of the sunscreening agent octocrylene. Optics Express, 2016, 24(10):10700-10709.
[6] Lewis A. Baker, Michael D. Horbury, Simon E. Greenough, Florent Allais, Patrick S. Walsh, Scott Habershon, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Ultrafast photoprotecting sunscreens in natural plants. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2016, 7(1):56-61.
[5] Wen-Dong Quan, Anais Pitto-Barry, Lewis A. Baker, Eugen Stulz, Richard Napier, Rachel K. O'Reilly, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Retaining individualities: The photodynamics of self-ordering porphyrin assemblies. Chemical Communications, 2016, 52(9):1938-1941
[4] Lewis A. Baker and Scott Habershon. Robustness, efficiency, and optimality in the Fenna-Matthews-Olson photosynthetic pigment-protein complex. Journal of Chemical Physics, 2015, 143(10):105101.
[3] Lewis A. Baker, Michael D. Horbury, Simon E. Greenough, Michael N. R. Ashfold, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Broadband ultrafast photoprotection by oxybenzone across the UVB and UVC spectral regions. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2015, 14(10):1814-1820.
[2] Michael D. Horbury, Lewis A. Baker, Wen-Dong Quan, Jamie D. Young, Michael Staniforth, Simon E. Greenough, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Bridging the gap between the gas and solution phase: Solvent specific photochemistry in 4-tert-butylcatechol. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2015, 119(50):11989-11996.
[1] Lewis A. Baker, Michael D. Horbury, Simon E. Greenough, Philip M. Coulter, Tolga N. V. Karsili, Gareth M. Roberts, Andrew J. Orr-Ewing, Michael N. R. Ashfold, and Vasilios G. Stavros. Probing the ultrafast energy dissipation mechanism of the sunscreen oxybenzone after UVA irradiation. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2015, 6(8):1363-1368.