Dr. Nikos Hadjichristidis is a world-recognized expert in the area of polymer chemistry, and an Ibn Alhaytham Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in the Physical Science and Engineering Division at KAUST. He directs the Polymer Synthesis Laboratory, which focuses on the synthesis and design of novel model homopolymers and copolymers with well-defined complex macromolecular architectures, as well as the development of innovative polymers with diverse applications for the circular polymer economy. Prior to joining KAUST in 2011, Hadjichristidis taught at the University of Athens in Greece, where he built a globally renowned polymer synthesis laboratory. He has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career for significant advances to the field of polymer science and its applications, among them the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Award in Polymer Chemistry; holds 36 patents; and is a fellow with leading international organizations for the chemical sciences. ​

The research of Professor Hadjichristidis and his group applies different polymerizationmethodologies — anionic polymerization (AP), high-vacuum techniques, polyhomologation,ATRP, RAFT, NMP, Iodine Transfer Polymerization, ROP, ROMP, catalytic, etc. — to designpolymers with novel structures — star, comb, dendritic, cyclic, 8-shaped, tadpole, etc. The aimof this research is to enhance the understanding and performance of existing industrialpolymers such as polyethylene, polylactides, thermoplastic elastomers, and others for high-tech applications in areas including nanolithography, drug delivery and high-temperaturemembranes. His research interests also include biodegradable polyethylenes, vitrimers,circular polymer economy, and non-covalent-bond-based macromolecular architectures.​