Meet the people who make up STEM Faculty.
Infrastructure Lead And Academic Director, Centre For Stem Analytical Solutions
I am a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry having joined the OU as a Lecturer in 2001. After completing my DPhil at Oxford with Prof Paul Beer I was a research fellow at the Universite Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg with Prof Jean-Pierre Sauvage and then returned to the UK as research fellow at Durham with Prof David Parker.
My research interests are broadly based around supramolecular photochemistry . This research combines my interests in non-covalent interactions and photochemistry. The aim is to understand how these interactions can be used in the design and synthesis of novel molecular assemblies and materials. The common theme running through the research is the use of light or light-induced processes to impart functions into these assemblies. Spectroscopic techniques are used to study the processes occurring within these systems upon excitation with light energy. The multidisciplinary aspect of the research is reflected in the projects, which range from those with biomedical applications to those based on functional materials and coatings
Luminescent sensors and probes These systems use combinations of noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, to bind target substrates and luminescence as the reporting signal. By monitoring changes in the intensity, lifetime or form of the luminescence upon substrate binding, the binding affinities may be determined. Of particular interest are systems with long-lived emission or able toundergo resonance energy transfer. These features are ideal for sensors designed to investigate and understand the structure and function of biological systems such as oligonucleotides and cell wall receptors. Such sensors have medical applications offering refined sensitivity in the early detection and diagnosis of disease at the molecular level particularly when targeted at biomolecules with key roles in physiological processes.
Current interest is focused on paramagnetic complexes as contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and luminescent complexes as labels for fluorescent microscopy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). A primary objective of this research is to improve the specificity and selectivity of the complexes by targeting particular binding sites on cell walls or physiologically relevant molecules. The aim is produce agents with the dual role of detecting and killing tumour cells. The types of complex under investigation can act as photosensitizers or as radiation sensitizers as part of the cytotoxic proces
Photoactive molecular devices There are many examples of functional molecular devices held together by non-covalent interactions occurring in nature. Much of this research uses a biomimitic approach to duplicate natural processes, such as photosynthesis, using artificial arrays. They have promise in the future as lean renewable energy sources if they can reproduce photosynthesis efficiently. Non-covalent synthetic methods such as anion coordination bonding menas that a range of systems may be generated rapidly and the photophysical properties studies and fine-tuned. The input and output signals of the device can then be regulated and such devices have potential as functional materials for use optoelectronic devices
Functional Materials This combines my interest in photochemistry and sysnthesis to impart functionmal propertiers on larger polymweric systems such as those based on organosilicon frameworks. These can be used to arrange photoactive groups or compelxes in a defined manner that
My main teaching interests lie in the area of postrgraduate study and training. I was the first Graudate School Director at the OU and established the Graduate School in 2016. Prior to that I was chair ofSTM895 - Postgraduate research skills in science, technology, maths and computing. This was webased course that uses the VLE e-portflio to allow researchers to plan and record their skills training and this formed the basis for the Virtual Research Environment I lead the production of in 2014. I was member of the S825 module team delivering skills training to MSc students and am currently the chair for SXM390 a research skills based project course
My undergraduate teaching focuses on organic chemsitry and I have chaired S346 Drug Design and Synthesis module team and S344 Organic Chemistry: A synthesis approach. I have been a member of the S205 : Molecular World and S103 Discovering Science course teams.
Member of the UKCGE Deans and Directors of Graduate Schools Group 2016-2019
Plenary Speaker at UKCGE Worksop on PhD and part time study at a distance 2019
UKCGE international conference
WJ innovation day EDL London
WJ Group
Cornelius Specialities
GSK
Shimadzu
TWI LTD
