Toni graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2013 after completing a Natural Sciences degree (specialising in chemistry and biology). Following this, she was employed as a Technical Chemist by a global electro-chemical company based in Leicestershire. Alongside her role in industry, she was awarded sponsorship to study Analytical Chemistry (MSc) at Loughborough University. As part of her research project, the UV resistance effects and degradation mechanisms of polystyrene were considered. Toni would like her PhD research to be targeted at the interface between chemistry and biology. She has a particular interest in developing new sustainable techniques to produce homogeneously functionalised polypeptide-based therapeutics. Outside of chemistry, Toni is passionate about health and fitness and especially enjoys countryside walks.

Born in Preston, Lancashire, Lydia graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2018 with a Masters in Chemistry. She spent the summer following her third year completing a research placement in drug discovery for Dr. Andrew Nortcliffe helping to develop a library of compounds for the treatment of Asthma. For her final year, she continued to work for Dr. Andrew Nortcliffe developing an iodoetherification pathway to tetrahydropyrans from amino acids to prepare vast libraries of drug like compounds that represent an improved starting point for drug discovery.  Outside of chemistry Lydia enjoys baking, DIY and pub quizzes. 

Lydia's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Michelle graduated from the University of Malta with a Master of Pharmacy, after which she obtained a MSc in Drug Discovery and Development at UCL. Under the supervision of Prof. Andreas Schätzlein, she carried out the synthesis and study of various chitosan-derived polymers which could potentially be used as drug delivery agents. Her MSc degree introduced her to the concept of green chemistry and how it can be utilised to make the pharmaceutical industry more environmentally sustainable. She is also highly interested in how chemistry can be applied to other research areas, such as the conservation of archaeological artefacts. Michelle’s hobbies include reading, travelling, going to the theatre, playing video games and learning new languages.

Michelle's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from the Philippines, Desiree completed her BSc in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry and MRes in Chemistry at Nottingham Trent University. During her undergraduate project, she investigated statins with a synthetic linker for drug delivery systems under the supervision of Dr. Liam Duffy and Ryan Hemming. Throughout the project Desiree developed a research interest in organic synthesis and new reaction methodologies. For her MRes project, Desiree worked with Professor John Wallis and focused on the synthesis of organosulfur donors as precursors for organic molecular conductors. She has a broad research interest in organic chemistry and would like to develop sustainable processes to produce molecules with useful applications. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, watching Korean and Chinese dramas and spending time with her friends and family.        

Desiree's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from Berkshire, Mandeep completed his MChem degree from The University of Reading. During his degree, he completed a 14 month industrial placement at Procter and Gamble (P&G) where he developed new patented cosmetic products from brands such as Maxfactor and D&G. Mandeep completed his masters project under the supervision of Dr Christopher Smith, producing a pioneering method to synthesise highly unstable cycloalkynes from 1-amino-1,2,3-triazole analogues.

Upon graduating, Mandeep has gained further industrial experience in the field of Process Chemistry at Dextra Laboratories and Aptuit. His current research interests lie in the synthesis of complex molecules using sustainable and efficient processes. In his spare time, Mandeep likes to play football, travel and watch documentaries.

Mandeep's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Carmen graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2018 with an MSci in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry. As part of her degree, she spent her third year at Evotec in Abingdon, working on developing small molecule lead candidates as kinase inhibitors. For her Master's project, Carmen worked with Dr Roger Taylor and Dr Andrew Nortcliffe, in collaboration with GSK, on a drug discovery project for the treatment of Acute Kidney Injury and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Her current research interests lie in the development of greener processes for the synthesis of organic molecules with industrial applications. Outside of the lab, Carmen enjoys dancing, practicing yoga and playing the piano.

Candice is originally from Paris, and graduated with an MSci degree in Chemistry from the University of Bristol. Under the supervision of Professor Richard Evershed, Candice completed her Masters research project as part of the Organic Geochemistry unit, in association with the School of Archaeology. She was working on the lipid residue analysis of archaeological pottery from the Viking era, aiming at finding a correction for the marine reservoir effect at the archaeological site of Bornais, Scotland. Techniques involved in this project include radiocarbon dating (BRAMS) and preparative capillary gas chromatography (PCGC).

Candice's current research interests lie in the applications of organic chemistry to the food science, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Outside of chemistry, Candice enjoys playing tennis, skiing, playing the cello, as well as volunteering and travelling.

Candice's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from Bedford, Cameron graduated in 2018 with an MChem degree from the University of East Anglia.

His final year research project was carried out under the supervision of Dr Joseph Wright, working on the synthesis of structural analogues of the enzyme [Ni-Fe]-hydrogenase, for catalytic proton reduction.

His research interests lie in the area of organometallic synthesis, with applications in energy and catalysis. Outside of chemistry, he enjoys running, playing tennis and travelling.

Cameron's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from Ayrshire, Alison completed an MChem in Chemistry with a European language in 2018 at Heriot-Watt University. In her 4th year Alison completed her masters project under the supervision of Prof. Olivier Lafon at Université Lille 1 in France. The project focused on the development of solid state NMR techniques, including dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), to analyse all solid state lithium ion batteries. On returning to Scotland for her 5th year, Alison completed another research project under the supervision of Dr Dave Ellis using many varied NMR techniques to analyse poly(lactic acid). Her main research interest lies in solid state NMR and would like to use techniques such as DNP to study sustainable materials and processes. In her free time, Alison enjoys travelling, learning languages and figure skating.

Alison's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from Maidstone, William graduated with an MChem in Chemistry from Loughborough University. He undertook a placement year at Lubrizol Ltd, where he worked under Dr Gregory Hunt developing the next generation of additives for transmission fluids, with particular focus on the emerging hybrid and electric vehicle markets. Upon returning to Loughborough, he completed his masters project with Dr Sandie Dann which involved the optimisation of lithium aluminium hydride as a solid-state hydrogen storage medium for portable fuel cells. During his degree he developed a keen interest for sustainable processes, especially regarding energy generation. Outside of the lab, William can often be found in the local gym, on the American football field or at a board game café.

William's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from Drogheda, Ireland, Luke obtained his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at University College Dublin. For his final year research project, Luke worked with Associate Professor Grace Morgan, designing a new class of multiferroic materials, in particular non-centrosymmetric spin switchable crystals. This was followed by an MSc by Research at the University of Nottingham, under the supervision of Professor Hon Wai Lam. Luke worked on rhodium-catalysed remote C-H activation generating molecular complexity from simple precursors. Luke’s interests include sustainable and efficient asymmetric catalytic methodologies and X-Ray crystallography. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, gaming and travelling.

Luke's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Aoife graduated from the University of Birmingham with an MSci in Chemistry with a year abroad, where she spent her third year studying in the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. In her final year project, Aoife worked alongside Dr. Zoe Schnepp to modify carbon materials that had been synthesised from biomass with the purpose of removing arsenic from water. Aoife’s research interests include producing sustainable materials for water remediation and enhancing the properties of these materials. In her spare time, Aoife enjoys dancing, painting and organising events.

Aoife's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Kamile is originally from Lithuania and has completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nottingham, graduating with an MSci degree in Chemistry. For her final year masters project, she worked under the supervision of Dr James Cuthbertson looking into development of novel routes to nitrogen heterocycles. During her undergraduate studies she has developed an interest in synthetic organic chemistry and is especially keen on studying and developing sustainable methods to arrive at molecules with a potential biological use. In her spare time Kamile enjoys practicing yoga, running and travelling.

Born and raised in Lincolnshire, Charlie studied chemistry at the University of Nottingham, graduating with an MSci in 2018. He completed his master’s project as a member of the Ball Research Group, based in the Carbon Neutral Lab. Over the course of the year he studied the cross-coupling of cyclic diketones, developing a novel Pd-catalysed synthesis, with potential use in the agrochemical industry, avoiding the use of toxic lead and mercury reagents.

Having particularly enjoyed his work in the Ball group, Charlie continues to have broad research interests in catalysis, novel organic syntheses and finding sustainable alternatives to current processes - areas which he hopes to combine within his CDT PhD project. Outside of the lab Charlie enjoys playing handball, reading, and is a keen guitarist.

Charlie's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Originally from Crewe, Gemma graduated from the University of Bristol with an MSci in Chemistry in 2018. For her Master’s project she worked under Professor Richard Pancost in the Organic Geochemistry Unit, reconstructing Cenozoic temperatures and soil pH using glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether distributions in Australian lignite samples. She wishes to go on to apply her skills to the sustainable synthesis of pharmaceutical products. Outside of chemistry, she enjoys athletics and baking.

Gemma's research project is aligned to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Luke was born and raised in Northampton and graduated from The University of Nottingham in 2018 with an MSci degree in chemistry. For his 4th year project, he worked in Dr Graham Newton's research group, investigating the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide using first row transition metal complexes. In part due to this, his current research interests involve the synthesis and characterization of metal complexes and clusters. His interests outside of research include football, cooking, socialising with friends and travelling.