POSTGRADUATE study at the University of Reading has been given a boost - with one of its professors being named PhD Supervisor of the Year.

Professor Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy, from the Reading School of Pharmacy, was named PhD Supervisor of the Year in the Postgrad Awards 2020, hosted by postgraduate recruitment specialist FindAUniversity.

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The awards recognise the UK's most inspirational postgraduate students and educators.

Professor Khutoryanskiy saw off tough competition from colleagues from universities including the University of Oxford and De Montfort University.

The PhD Supervisor of the Year award recognises academics who go out of their way to give their PhD students the best possible academic experience.

It highlights the work of those who inspire students to be ambitious with their research, giving them the confidence to be bold with their ideas while guiding them through practicalities such as writing papers or the latest research techniques.

Prof Khutoryanskiy said: "I am absolutely delighted to receive this recognition.

"I am grateful to my current and former PhD students, who nominated me for this award. Throughout my academic career I was very fortunate to supervise many excellent PhD students and I am always happy to stay in touch with them for many years after their graduation and offer mentorship and support."

Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy is a Professor of Formulation Science in the Reading School of Pharmacy. Alongside his teaching responsibilities, he is also the Programme Director of MSc by Research in Pharmacy and has a close working relationship with the postgraduate community within the department.

His research specialisms include the study of polymers for pharmaceutical applications, drug delivery systems and functionalised nanoparticles.

Professor Khutoryanskiy talks about his work at Reading in this video.

Reading is one of the top 20 universities in the UK for research intensity; 98 per cent of research conducted at the university is of international standing, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014).

Research is structured around five interdisciplinary themes: environment, food, health, prosperity and resilience, and heritage and creativity.

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The Graduate School supports postgraduate students throughout their time at Reading, providing relevant training for career development and services for life beyond research, including accommodation, childcare and financial support.

A variety of postgraduate research studentships and bursaries are available.