Mikhail Osipov

Professor Mikhail Osipov is a leading academic in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Strathclyde, UK, within the Faculty of Science. His research centers on the theoretical physics of soft matter, particularly liquid crystals and related materials. He is actively involved in international collaborations and has led significant research initiatives such as the Materials World Network and the EPSRC-funded program at the Newton Institute.

Research Interests: His expertise spans statistical mechanical theories of soft matter with emphasis on liquid crystals, mesogenic polymers, and anisotropic fluids. He has made foundational contributions to the molecular and phenomenological theory of thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals, ferroelectric ordering, cholesteric twisting, elasticity, flexoelectricity, rheology, surface, dielectric, and optical properties. His recent work includes bent-core liquid crystals, cholesteric lyotropics, and polymer nanocomposites.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in understanding ferroelectric nematic phases, thermodynamic modeling, electrostatic interactions, and phase transitions using advanced molecular and continuum theories. His interdisciplinary work bridges physics, materials science, and applied mathematics, particularly in modeling unconventional smectic and nematic phases.

Scientific Awards:

• Frederiks Medal (2018)
• Hilsum Medal (2015)
• Merkator Guest Professor Award (2008)

Research Leadership and Grants: Professor Osipov has served as Principal Investigator on multiple international and national projects, including those funded by the Leverhulme Trust, Russian Science Foundation, and German Science Foundation. He was the UK PI in a multinational Materials World Network and organized a major 6-month program at the Isaac Newton Institute. His research has significant implications for electro-optic devices, holography, beam steering, and chirality detection.

Professional Engagement: He is actively involved in the scientific community as Section Editor-in-Chief for the Crystals journal (Liquid Crystals section), delivers invited and keynote talks globally, and participates in major conferences. His professional activities include over 100 recorded events, including organizing symposia and serving on editorial and scientific boards.