Professor Andrew Barron (pictured) is Chair of Chemistry and Professor of Materials Science at Rice Univ‌ersity in Texas, an institution with which Swansea has existing links. He won the 2011 World Technology Award for Materials and will be involved in teaching and research work at Swansea, based in the College of Engineering, leading the newly established Energy Safety Research Institute.

He has joined the team as part of the Ser Cymru ("Wales Stars") programme, set up by the Welsh Government as part of its science strategy, which aims to attract world-class scientific talent to Wales' universities.

Professor Barron (pictured) said:

"I am excited to be associated with the College of Engineering at Swansea University especially in this time of expansion and change.

The new Bay campus and the creation of the Energy Safety Research Institute are in my opinion the biggest move forward for any University in the UK, if not the world.

Being part of an institution that is not just growing in size but evolving to meet the needs of education in the 21st Century is an adventure that faculty seldom get to experience. It should be fun."

Ser Cymru includes funding for universities to recruit new academic ‘stars’ and, separately, the creation of new National Research Networks in three ‘grand challenge’ areas where Wales has a track record of excellence:

• Life sciences and health
• Low carbon, energy and environment
• Advanced engineering and materials

 The Ser Cymru programme also supports solar energy expert Professor James Durrant.   Professor Durrant is leading Ser Solar, a world-class, dedicated research facility based in Port Talbot.  This is a unique partnership between universities in Wales (led by Swansea) and Imperial College London.