Mervyn Miles is a physicist distinguished for his groundbreaking new techniques in scanning-probe microscopy — the use of microscopes with probes attached for imaging the surface of an object. His work allows the viewing of biological systems in much greater detail than before, including molecules such as body fats and DNA.

His outstanding advancements comprise developing techniques for imaging at more than 100 images per second, sensing the surface of delicate specimens through a thin layer of water to prevent damaging contact, and bathing the microscope probe in liquid to enhance the image and minimise damage to the specimen.

Mervyn is currently Professor of Physics and head of the Nanophysics and Soft Matter Group at the University of Bristol. He is also Director of the Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum information and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award holder.