Thomas Logothetis hails from Freising, Germany. He graduated from the Technische Universität München as Diplom-Chemiker. During his PhD he focussed on fluorine chemistry and after a 2-year placement at the Universität Leipzig he obtained his Dr. rer. nat. (magna cum laude) in 1996 from the Technische Universität München for research in the field of fluorinated carbohydrates.
Thomas then studied mycotoxins with Robert Vleggaar at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, with a particular interest in boronic ester homologation and structure elucidation. In 2001 Thomas returned to fluorine and joined the Politecnico di Milano, Italy, where he explored halogen bonding in the context of supramolecular chemistry. His next postdoctoral position finally led Thomas to the University of Southampton in 2003, where he first worked with Richard Brown and GE Healthcare on targets for 18F-doped PET imaging substrates and then with Ganesan and Karus Therapeutics on the SPPS of Phakelistatin 13 & analogues, and andrographolide derivatisation.
During his doctoral and postdoctoral studies Thomas used many an opportunity to part with his knowledge and delighted in teaching apprentices, undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as supervising project students and offering extramural courses for members of previously disadvantaged communities.
Following this, Thomas took up a position as Teaching Fellow at the University of Southampton, where he rose to Principal Teaching Fellow in Chemistry education. Thomas teaches a variety of courses at different levels and manages the synthesis-based Teaching Laboratory and instrument room with its team of technicians. He also organised the annual Organic Chemistry Summer School and hosts various Outreach events in this laboratory
In 2009 and 2011 his outstanding contributions to the University and to chemistry education, respectively, were recognised with a Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award and a Vice-Chancellors Award. In 2013, chemistry students bestowed the inaugural Excellence in Teaching Awards: Feedback Provision on him. Thomas’ strong work ethics led to several staff achievement awards (2013, 2015 & 2018). In 2016, his excellent and supportive approach to undergraduate and postgraduate education, particularly in the Organic Chemistry Summer School, was recognised with a second Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award. Also in 2016, Thomas’ enthusiastic support for the environmental and financial sustainability of the department was honoured with a Vice-Chancellors Team Award.
Thomas is a member of the chemical societies in Germany (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker, GDCh) and England (Royal Society of Chemistry, RSC), an associate of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA @ AdvanceHE).
Prizes
Vice-Chancellor's Award (2016)
Vice-Chancellor's Award (2011)
Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award (2016)
Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award (2009)
Excellence in Teaching Award (Feedback) (2013)
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2016)