Summary

 

I am a researcher, committed to the interface between academic curiosity and industrial application. I have a DPhil (PhD) in Chemistry and have completed business training. I regularly engage in outreach activities, speak at events, write articles and generally promote science!

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Current positions

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Co-Investigator / Research Project Manager, HydRegen

Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

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I am a senior research lead on a major £2.9m grant awarded to translate the industrially relevant research from my DPhil (PhD) towards commercialisation. I am responsible for a team of 7 postdocs with research spanning  bioinorganic chemistry, biocatalysis, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and organic synthesis

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I have demonstrated and developed highly innovative approaches to using cofactor-dependent redox enzymes for atom efficient biotransformations. This system combines the exquisite selectivity of biocatalysts with more standard chemical processing methodologies and represents a step-change for implementation of biocatalytic processes for fine chemicals synthesis. This research bridges concepts from biocatalysis and organic synthesis offering a completely new route to selective hydrogenation reactions which can be carried out under mild conditions, and as flow or batch processes. 

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We were awarded the “Royal Society of Chemistry Emerging Technology 2013” prize after pitching this research to a highly-respected judging panel which included representatives from industry and academia. This has led to us establishing relationships with large chemical companies. Since then I have made connections with new industrial partners and secured funding to follow up on discussions. To ensure I am equipped to support the business side of this research I have completed business and entrepreneurship training.

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Research Fellow

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Oxford Innovation Society (OIS) Fellowship Programme awarded (May-Oct 2017)

 

This program provides training sessions on commercialising research and provides access to the OIS network. We have heard a number of inspiring talks from CEOs of companies started in Oxford.

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Committees

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I am passionate about improving communication within the Department of Chemistry, and the Maths Physical and Life Sciences Division, in particular communication to and between postdocs. I sit on a number of high level committees at Departmental, Divisional and University level.

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Grants

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Research funding

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Co-Investigator: IB Catalyst funding from EPSRC / BBSRC / Innovate UK, 2016-1020, £2.9m

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EMBO Short-Term Fellowship

 

Awarded a short-term fellowship by EMBO to carry out research in the Lenz Group, Technical University of Berlin. The project explored the mechanism of the hydride transfer NAD+/NADH cycling flavo-enzymes. (2015, June – August)

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Studentship funding

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Supervisor: awarded funding for an iCASE studentship (starting Oct 2019-2023)

Co-supervisor: iCASE industry linked DPhil student (October 2017-2021)

Supervisor: DTP Research Experience Placement for undergraduate student (2017 June – August)

Supervisor: RSC summer student bursary (2016 June-July)

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Supervision

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I am currently responsible for a team of 6 postdocs, 4 DPhil students and a Masters student.

During my time in the Vincent group I have supervised more than 10 Masters students and 4 DPhil students.

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