Education

Biography

I have built a strong interest in analytical techniques used in materials research and in Forensic Science. I have supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate students within this interdisciplinary research area. I am currently leading collaborative studies with local and international companies.

Whilst studying for my PhD in Materials Science, my research gained first prize in the Materials, Minerals and Mining annual conference in 2008, and was also displayed at the SET for Britain road show hosted at the Houses of Parliament. After obtaining my PhD I took on part time lecturing at Kingston University within the area of analytical chemistry and also gained experience in teaching to students across the lifelong learning sector. I designed and delivered a foundation level chemistry programme to further education international students, and was also responsible for designing and delivering a series of "key skills workshops" for postgraduate students.

I took up a full-time lecturing post at Kingston University in 2011, and teach to both undergraduate and postgraduate students on the pharmaceutical science, chemistry, forensic, analytical and biochemistry courses, and I am currently the module leader for Crime Scene, Evidence and Law and The Role of the Professional Forensic Scientist.

I am a reviewer for Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B - Applied Biomaterials, Journal of Materials Science and Journal of Molecular Sciences. I am a younger member forums regional representative of the UK society of Biomaterials. I am currently part of the admissions team for Pharmaceutical Science and Chemistry courses. I am also the outreach champion for the school, and a staff engagement rep for the faculty.

Research Interest

• Method development of surface analytical and microscopic techniques used in materials studies
• Trace analysis of Forensic evidence
• Contact angle analysis for wettability
• Polymer degradation
• Spectroscopic and thermal techniques for polymer analysis
• Surface Modification of biomaterials
• Gravimetric diffusion studies using diffusion models
• Quantification of deposits related to the spoilage of ocular materials
• Gamma irradiation, Ethylene oxide and Fluorine gas interaction with polymer surfaces
• The spoilage and aging of ocular biomaterials
• In vitro studies of biomaterials

Scientific Activities

Professional Experience

Awards and Bursaries

• Royal Society Partnership Grant to Inspire BTEC/GCSE students into Higher education.
• RSC researcher mobility grant (value of £2300) to build research links with Materials research department at University of Milan Biccoca
• TSB knowledge transfer partnership award with a large business (value of £130,000)
• HEA Travel grant awarded for attendance at the HEA STEM: Innovative Approaches to Student Engagement, University of Liverpool
• Royal Society of Chemistry Materials Chemistry Division bursary for attendance and oral presentation at RAMS: Recent Appointees in Materials Science 2012, University of Strathclyde
• Kingston University Academic Development, £800, "Spectroscopic and Spectrometric E-Learning", Blended Learning Project, January 2012
• Kingston University, £2000 "Fluorinated Ophthalmic Materials", Research Led Teaching award, July 2012

Publications

1. Goddard, Sharon.L., Brown, Richard.J.C. and Ghatora, Baljit (2016) Determination of beryllium concentrations in UK ambient air. Atmospheric Environment, 147, pp. 320-329. ISSN (print) 1352-2310
2. Page, Nigel, Taylor-Steeds, Emma, Carey, Louise, Siaw, Evelyn, Gurnett, Kelly, Ait Belkacem, Lydia and Ghatora, Baljit (2016) Understanding student motivations and career aspirations so that we can effectively support our graduates. New Directions in the Teaching of Physics, 11(1), ISSN (online) 2051-3615
3. Lacey, Joseph, Ghatora, Baljit, Foot, Peter, Barton, Stephen and De Cock, Romain (2016) Intraocular lens calcification after DSEK : a mechanism and preventive technique. Cornea, 35(9), e28-e30. ISSN (print) 0277-3740
4. ElShaer, Amr, Mustafa, Shelan, Kasar, Mohamad, Thapa, Sapana, Ghatora, Baljit and Alany, Raid G. (2016) Nanoparticle-laden contact lens for controlled ocular delivery of prednisolone: formulation optimization using statistical experimental design. Pharmaceutics, 8(2), E14. ISSN (online) 1999-4923
5. Ghatora, Baljit K., Barton, Stephen J., Foot, Peter J. S. and Miller Tate, Philip (2014) The effect of direct gas fluorination on medical grade poly(methyl methacrylate). Open Journal of Organic Polymer Materials, 4(4), pp. 74-83. ISSN (print) 2164-5736
6. ElShaer, Amr, Ghatora, Baljit, Mustafa, Shelan and Alany, Raid G (2014) Contact lenses as drug reservoirs & delivery systems: the successes & challenges. Therapeutic Delivery, 5(10), pp. 1085-1100. ISSN (print) 2041-5990
7. Barton, Stephen J., Foot, Peter J. S., Miller Tate, Philip C., Kishi, Mariko and Ghatora, Baljit (2013) The effects of gamma irradiation on medical grade poly(methyl methacrylate). Polymers and Polymer Composites, 21(1), pp. 1-8. ISSN (print) 0967-3911
8. Foot, Peter J.S., Ghatora, Baljit, Barton, Steve and Sabbagh, Bassem (2011) The effects of gamma sterilisation of PMMA for implanted intra-ocular lenses. Medical Plastics News, pp. 32-34.
9. Foot, P.J.S., Ghatora, Baljit, Barton, Steve and Sabagh, Bassem (2011) Investigating polymer degradation with triple detection GPC/SEC. Separation Science, 3(6), pp. 2-7.