Gil Alexandrowicz

Professor Gil Alexandrowicz is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. With a PhD from the University of Cambridge and previous academic appointments at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and the University of Cambridge, he has established himself as a leading researcher at the interface of chemistry and physics.

• Professor of Chemistry, Swansea University (2019-Present)
• Associate Professor, Swansea University (2018-2019)
• Associate Professor, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (2014-2018)
• Senior Lecturer, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (2008-2014)
• College Research Fellow, Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge (2005-2008)

His research focuses on surface dynamics and gas-surface interactions, with particular expertise in atomic and molecular beams, surface diffusion, and molecule-surface collisions. Professor Alexandrowicz's work is characterized by developing novel experimental techniques to address research questions that cannot be studied with existing scientific technology. His most significant contributions include the development of techniques to control molecular rotations and the separation of ortho and para water molecules - a breakthrough that had previously been considered impossible.

Analysis of Professor Alexandrowicz's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on advancing molecular beam techniques, particularly magnetic manipulation of molecular beams and spin-echo spectroscopy. His research has evolved from fundamental studies of surface diffusion to increasingly sophisticated control of molecular quantum states during surface interactions. The publications span high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Physical Review Letters, and Science, demonstrating the significance of his contributions to surface science.

• Development of technique to separate ortho and para water molecules (published in Science, 2011)
• Development of technique to control rotational quantum states of molecules (published in Nature Communications, 2017, 2020)
• Pioneering helium spin echo studies of surface motion (published in Physical Review Letters and Science)

Professor Alexandrowicz actively supervises PhD students and leads a research group comprising postdoctoral researchers including Dr. Helen Chadwick, Dr. Hamza Labiad, and Dr. Joshua Cantin, along with PhD student Yosef Alkoby and laboratory manager Dagmar Butkovikova. His research has been supported by significant grants that have enabled the development of specialized equipment for molecular beam experiments. He teaches advanced chemistry courses including Structure and Bonding, Chemical Practice, and Computational and Theoretical Chemistry.

His laboratory specializes in developing and applying novel molecular beam techniques with magnetic manipulation capabilities, focusing on quantum state-resolved studies of molecule-surface interactions. The group has established unique capabilities in separating water spin isomers and controlling molecular rotations, opening new avenues for studying surface reaction dynamics at the quantum level.