Dr. Alex Baker, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at The University of Warwick has been named as the winner of the 2025 British Science Association’s (BSA) Physical Sciences and Mathematics Award Lecture.

Joining a roster of previous winners including Brian Cox, Richard Wiseman and Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Alex is being recognised for his promising early career research looking to provide therapeutics and diagnosis for Neglected Tropical Diseases. His group, the Baker Humanitarian Chemistry Group, is passionately working on creating and developing chemical solutions to humanitarian challenges impacting marginalised groups. 

As part of the award, Alex will give a lecture based on his research at the British Science Festival 2025 in September titled - “Beyond antibodies, from snakebites to Covid-19" - Delving into the world of snake venoms and synthetic antibodies to discover their significance for global health. 

Speaking about the award, Alex said: “I am delighted to receive this Award and the opportunity to showcase my research from COVID-19 diagnostics to snake venoms. I am so thankful to the British Science Association for providing a platform to demonstrate how the Physical Sciences can fight Neglected Tropical Diseases.” 

Just like previous winners, Alex is also being recognised for his excellent science communication efforts. This includes presenting on topics such as “How to Freeze a Human”, “Worth Dyeing For – The Colourful Creation of Organic Chemistry” and “The Chemistry of Star Wars,” which is returning to the Royal Institution on May 4th 2025.  

Professor Mike Ward, Vice-Provost and Chair of the Board of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine at The University of Warwick said: “I’m delighted to see that Alex’s outstanding communication and public engagement skills are being recognised in this way. He is a real star in this area: only a few months ago he won the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Early Career Prize for Excellence in Higher Education in recognition of his brilliance in chemistry education.  

“His combined passion for doing chemistry research to make the world a better place – and to use that as a vehicle for educating and enthusing the next generation of researchers – is inspiring, and Alex is definitely one to watch!" 

Professor Patrick Unwin, Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Warwick added: “The BSA award recognises excellent research coupled with a commitment to public engagement, and this very much reflects Alex’s passion and achievements in science. We are delighted that Alex’s efforts as an outstanding public speaker and communicator have been recognised by the BSA.” 

Alex joined the Chemistry Department at The University of Warwick over a decade ago, a journey that has seen him go from undergraduate to assistant professor. This is not his first early-career honour either, having won the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Early Career Prize for Excellence in Higher Education and a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship. Alex is also a key figure for the new STEM Connect Programme at Warwick, which will unlock further collaboration and innovation at the University, helping find solutions to society’s biggest challenges.

Professor Mark Williams, Academic Director for the STEM Connect Programme, said: “Congratulations to Alex on this well-deserved recognition. This is a shining example of The University of Warwick’s position as a global powerhouse for chemistry, something the STEM Connect Programme will solidify and expand upon as it supports and accelerates education and research that improves everyday lives for people around the world – just like Alex’s work into Neglected Tropical Diseases.”

Alex is one of seven early-career researchers from across the UK who are nominated as Award Lecturers and whose academic breakthroughs and science communication abilities are celebrated at the yearly festival in September. 

James Brown, the BSA’s Head of Festivals and Director of the British Science Festival says: “The Award Lectures are always a highlight of the BSF programme, shining a spotlight on the very best early-career researchers working in the UK. Our winning speakers have been chosen for their innovative and impactful interdisciplinary research as well as for their passion for communicating their work and engaging new audiences. I can’t wait to attend their events in September.” 

ENDS 

Image Credit: University of Warwick

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Notes to Editors 

About the British Science Association 

The British Science Association (BSA) believes that science should be part of – rather than set apart from – society and culture and is owned by the wider community. Our programmes encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with science, become ambassadors for science, and ultimately to be empowered to challenge and influence British science - whether they work in science or not. 

Established in 1831, the BSA is a registered charity that organises major initiatives across the UK, including British Science Week, the annual British Science Festival, regional and local events, the CREST Awards, and other programmes for young people in schools and colleges. The BSA also organises specific activities for professional science communicators, including a specialist conference and training.  

About the Award Lectures 

The British Science Association (BSA) has been rewarding promising early career scientists for over 30 years, many of whom are now successful science communicators. The Award Lecturers are a cohort of top early career researchers, all based in the UK, who are recognised for their cutting-edge work and commitment to public engagement efforts. 

About The University of Warwick 

The University of Warwick is one of the UK’s leading universities, marking its 60th anniversary in 2025. With over twenty-eight thousand students from 147 countries, it is currently ranked 9th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide. It has an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research and teaching, for innovation, and for links with business and industry. The recent Research Excellence Framework classed 92% of its research as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. The University of Warwick was awarded Midlands University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times. 

About the STEM Connect Programme

The STEM Connect Programme forms part of The University of Warwick’s largest single investment in campus facilities in its 60-year history – known as the Connect Programme. This will deliver innovative spaces built for new state-of-the-art research and learning programmes to support purposeful collaboration that will address the local, national and global challenges of today and tomorrow.

From teaching rooms to laboratories, the facilities will enable the University to build on its innovation and research excellence and enhance its campus experience to create more learning opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The STEM Connect Programme will also attract and inspire the world’s brightest students and will reinforce the University’s internationally-recognised work in science – having led on a vast array of pioneering research, including innovations to save lives through the early detection of skin cancer and dementia.