Director
Adjunct Research Professor, Dept. of Chemistry
Dr. Mark C. Biesinger (bee-sing-er) is the director of Surface Science Western (Western University), Canada’s leading surface analysis and materials characterization facility. Mark is an internationally recognized expert in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). He has several seminal and highly-cited publications in the field which focus on improvements in both sample analysis and data interpretation techniques, particularly in the analysis of transition metals. Mark also authors and maintains the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) Reference Pages, a repository of techniques, tips and reference materials designed to help XPS users worldwide. He is author or co-author of over 80 peer-reviewed publications. He has extensive experience with SSW’s wide range of surface analysis and materials characterization techniques including 25+ years of experience operating and maintaining various XPS, SEM/EDX, optical microscopes, and static and ToF-SIMS instruments.
In 2020, Mark was awarded Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials, in 2021, the Vebleo Scientist Award, in 2022, the American Vacuum Society – Applied Surface Science Division Peter M.A. Sherwood Mid-Career Professional Award, and in 2024, the International Association of Advanced Materials Scientist Medal. Mark is also listed on Stanford’s World’s Top 2% Scientists List (2018-2023). He serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the Surface Science Division of the Chemical Institute of Canada.
Contact Dr. Biesinger for specifics on studies currently funded/ongoing.
2025 SSW Summer Research Fellowship (1 position, accepting applications in January 2025)
September 2024: Chemistry 4491 (4th Year Thesis Project – XPS of Ge) (Filled/Closed)
May 2024 to August 2025: SSW Internship (Filled/Closed, Mineralogy Group)
2024 SSW Summer Research Fellowship (Filled/Closed)
2023 May: Joint MSc or Phd (Physics Dept.), XPS and other characterizations methodologies of Rare Earth Elements (REE) (1 position: Filled/Closed)
2023 SSW Summer Research Fellowship (2 positions: Filled/Closed)
May or September 2022: Joint MSc or PhD (Chemistry Dept.) position focusing on selected XPS methods developments and applications (Filled/Closed)
September 2022: Chemistry 4491 (4th Year Thesis Project – XPS and ToF-SIMS) (Filled/Closed)
2022 SSW Summer Research Fellowships (2 positions: Filled/Closed)
A full list of publications can be found on my Google Scholar Profile.