Andre Geim

Biography

Sir Andre Konstantin Geim is a Russian-born British physicist known for his pioneering work in materials science, especially his research on graphene. Born on October 21, 1958, in Sochi, Russia, Geim is one of the leading physicists of the 21st century. He is the Regius Professor of Physics and Royal Society Research Professor at the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester, where he researches condensed matter physics.

Geim studied at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in the Department of General and Applied Physics. He later moved to the University of Manchester, where he made his most significant scientific contributions. Throughout his career, Geim has explored unique areas of physics, often leading to unexpected discoveries that have improved our understanding of materials and their properties.

In 2010, Geim gained international fame when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics with his colleague Konstantin Novoselov for their groundbreaking experiments with graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern. Their work began with the simple technique of using adhesive tape to peel layers from graphite, which opened new possibilities in materials science and nanotechnology. The discovery of graphene's remarkable properties, such as its strength, electrical conductivity, and flexibility, has potential uses ranging from electronics to energy storage.

What makes Geim particularly unique in the scientific community is that he is the only person to have won both the Nobel Prize and the Ig Nobel Prize. In 2000, he received the Ig Nobel Prize for his work on diamagnetic levitation, specifically for levitating a frog using magnetic fields. This experiment, though it seemed whimsical, demonstrated important principles of diamagnetism and showcased Geim's ability to pursue unconventional research paths that often lead to significant scientific insights.

Geim is married to Irina Grigorieva, also a physicist. His career has taken him across many countries and institutions, showing the global nature of modern scientific research. Originally holding Dutch citizenship when he won the Nobel Prize, he later became a British citizen to accept a knighthood in 2011. In February 2026, Geim was appointed as a chair professor at the University of Hong Kong, with his tenure beginning in April 2026, marking another notable chapter in his international academic career.