Mark Light

Dr. Mark Light is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, specializing in structural characterization techniques including single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder diffraction, and total scattering analysis. He holds a BSc in Geochemistry (1994, University of Greenwich) and a PhD in Crystallography (1997, Cardiff University). Since 1998, he has been affiliated with the University of Southampton, serving as X-ray Diffraction Manager since 2005 and Senior Lecturer since 2017. His research focuses on metal salt solutions and material characterization, with over 430 peer-reviewed publications and 1,000+ structures deposited in CCDC. He has received the SUSU Academic Award (2018).

Current and past PhD students include Eleanor Keil (Chemistry), Nathan James Frederick Page (Chemistry), and Ahmed Hussein Mokhtar Hussein Mohamed (Physics). He actively supervises research projects funded by EPSRC grants, such as the National Electron Diffraction Facility initiative. His work bridges chemistry and interdisciplinary structural analysis, contributing to fields like materials science and nanotechnology.

• Research Highlights: Metal-organic frameworks, total scattering techniques, and structural elucidation of complex materials.
• Grants & Collaborations: EPSRC-funded projects on nanomaterial structural studies (active) and equipment development (previous).
• Editorial Role: Member of the Transition Metal Chemistry editorial board, focusing on crystallographic science.