Horiba’s David Birch Honored as Institute of Physics Fellow for Pioneering Work in Fluorescence Lifetime Measurement

Horiba, Ltd. announced that David Birch, PhD, who is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Strathclyde and the co-founder of Horiba Jobin Yvon IBH Ltd., has been elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Physics (IOP), the organization's top recognition (1). This award acknowledges the scientific contributions Birch has made throughout his career, particularly in the field of fluorescence lifetime measurement technology.

“I am deeply honored that the Institute of Physics has recognized my contribution to championing UK spin-outs and physics in the support of multidisciplinary research through the success of IBH in its journey from being the University of Strathclyde’s first spinout company to joining Horiba and becoming a market leader in fluorescence lifetime instrumentation,” said Birch in a statement shared on Horiba’s website (1). “IBH is founded on research and being part of Horiba has been of enormous benefit to thousands of customers worldwide, across many disciplines, by bringing to market instruments that are of the highest specification, application-focused and part of a comprehensive fluorescence product portfolio.”

IBH started as a smaller company in Europe. Founded in 1977 by Birch and his colleagues, IBH saw its success through its work developing fluorescence lifetime instrumentation. Because of their work in time-resolved fluorescence, IBH developed a reputation for providing their clients with optical measurement technologies (1). In 2003, IBH became part of the Horiba Group, adopting the name Horiba Jobin Yvon IBH Ltd. and continuing its legacy as a key player in life sciences instrumentation (1).

As a director of IBH, Birch was instrumental in developing new, state-of-the-art instruments that have become staples in both research and industrial laboratories around the world. Under Birch’s leadership, IBH developed a variety of instruments. Among these instruments are the DeltaFlex fluorescence lifetime system, the InverTau Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) system, and the FLIMera, which is a real-time FLIM camera that enables high-speed imaging of dynamic processes (1). These tools are used extensively in areas such as molecular biology, drug discovery, and materials science (1).

The Honorary Fellowship from the IOP is reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of physics. In Birch’s case, it is a recognition of his career. Of particular note is the fact that he authored over 300 research papers and was responsible for creating the University of Strathclyde’s first-ever spin-out company, which helped establish a model for translating academic innovation into real-world solutions (1).

Birch continued to serve in a leadership role with Horiba Jobin Yvon IBH Ltd. until his retirement in 2020. During that time, he also strengthened ties with the University of Strathclyde, fostering research and development synergies that furthered the company's mission (1). Under his guidance, the company became a global leader in fluorescence lifetime technologies, helping Horiba expand its presence in the life sciences sector.

Looking ahead, Horiba remains committed to building on Birch’s legacy. The company continues to invest in advanced fluorescence technologies and collaborative research to address critical challenges in fields ranging from healthcare to environmental monitoring (1).

Founded in 1953, Horiba operates across 28 countries with 47 group companies. With a mission rooted in innovation and a corporate motto of “Joy and Fun,” Horiba develops cutting-edge measurement and analysis technologies that address global challenges in energy, healthcare, and materials science (2).

For more information, visit: www.horiba.com.

References

1. Horiba, David Birch, Founding Chairman of HORIBA Jobin Yvon IBH Ltd., Elected Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Physics. Horiba. Available at: https://www.horiba.com/usa/company/news/detail/news/7/2025/20250728jyibh/ (accessed 2025-07-28).
2. Horiba, About Us. Horiba. Available at: https://www.horiba.com/usa/company/about-horiba/home/ (accessed 2025-07-28).