Luke Croft Beringer 09/2022
Luke is an MChem working with Elliott on porphyrin chemistry to generate new and improved pressure sensitive paint formulations. When Luke’s not flooding fume hoods or pouring product on the floor during labs, he enjoys video games, questionable nights out and trying to persuade people his terrible film opinions are correct. |
Jiahui Ye (Connie) 06/2021
Connie comes from China and is studying for her MSc Chemistry in Manchester. Her final project is studying the education of lanthanides. In the future, she wants to be a school science teacher in her hometown - Shenzhen. Outside of chemistry, she likes cycling and playing basketball. |
Harriet Simmonds 09/2020
Harriet is an MChem working with Kieron on the synthesis of uranium sensors. She is a part of STEMSoc at the uni, where her role as Travelab leader involves running fun STEM activities for kids at local libraries. Outside of chemistry, she enjoys drinking coffee, buying houseplants and rewatching the same shows on Netflix on repeat. |
Emma Heslington 09/2019
Emma is an MChem student working alongside the educational research group looking into public attitudes towards nuclear chemistry in the context of museums. Outside of chemistry, in an attempt to prepare for her degree ending, she's trying to find a balance between pub nights and peak district walks on weekends. |
Ruth Abramson 09/2019
Ruth is an MChem graduating in 2020. She recently spent a summer at Harwell in Oxfordshire, deuterating various organic compounds. She is now working on lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles with Hannah. Outside of chemistry, she enjoys playing video games, dying her hair and eating biscuits. We're also very impressed with her pub attendance so far! |
Ranko Radulovic 09/2018
Ranko, originally from Leicester, is an MChem student researching various photoresponsive uranyl probes. Keen on nuclear and radiochemistry he is looking to stay within this field when he graduates. Away from chemistry Ranko is a sports fan, supporting both Leicester's football and rugby teams. He also enjoys travelling when possible, after having spent his third year of university abroad in Australia (proof of beach-based research is provided here!) |
Tom McCarthy 09/2018
Tom completed his undergraduate degree at Durham University and is currently working on his MSc by Research Chemistry project in Uranyl Organometallic Chemistry for the forthcoming 12 months. Outside of the lab, he is a keen football fan, being an avid supporter of Everton, and a keen rugby player |
Bolun Liu 04/2018 – 09/2018
Bolun is a PGT student. He received his bachelor degree in China. He has been working on developing upconverting lanthanide complexes with nIR dyes under the help of Richard and Hannah. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming and watching NBA matches. His favorite hobbies are collecting automobile diecast models and watching Japanese animations. James Guy 09/2017 – 05/2018
James is working in collaboration with the School of Chemistry’s Education Research Group in order to better understand and promote knowledge and appreciation of nuclear and radiochemistry within secondary education and the general public. Arguably the most pedantic man alive, James spends his time obsessing over the cleanliness of his beloved car, harrumphing at apostrophe abuse and arranging his extensive range of blue shirts in colour order - all sustained by vast quantities of tea and chocolate digestives. |
Jonathan Cryer 10/2016 - 05/2017
Jonathan, deciding that he loved the Natrajan group way too much, has come back to do his MChem project with us. He will be venturing into the exciting world of air-sensitive synthesis with David. Jonathan still enjoys his running, swimming and cycling, and is now potentially making his comeback to the world of rock climbing! |
Charlotte Ridout 10/2016 - 05/2017
Charlotte will be working for Letitia within Team Nanoparticles. Her project, is on the synthesis of lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles. Charlotte spent her third year at North Carolina State University, where she picked up lots of bizarre habits such as saying "trashcan", "sidewalk and "y'all", but is trying her best to convert back to proper English. She loves Star Wars and is trying to figure out if a chemistry degree will come in handy during the process of building a real life Millennium Falcon. |
Samantha Howard 10/2015 - 05/2016
Sam is making photoswitching azobenzenes in macrocyclic lanthanide complexes. She will study their properties using two photon absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Sam is a lover of The Great British Bake Off and is planning on entering the competition next year just so she can stare into Paul Hollywood's crystal blue eyes. If this plan fails she's going head to South America to hide he head in shame. |
Jasmin Bhangle 10/2015 - 05/2016
Jasmin is working in Team Nanoparticle on the synthesis and functionalisation of upconverting lanthanide nanophosphors. Jasmin likes to make herself cry by frequently watching the very upsetting TV series Greys Anatomy. She also shares the groups mutual love of baking and has promised to bake something every week for the group to enjoy! |
Greg Hull 10/2014 - 05/2015
Greg is continuing the work Mathieu started on his summer placement in the group; using two photon absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy to study the effect of photoswitching azobenzenes in macrocyclic lanthanide complexes. Greg is a member of two Hockey teams. He also crazily goes to the gym instead coming to group lunch on Fridays. One of his life aims is to visit every bar and pub in Manchester by the time he graduates (without getting a liver condition). |
Maddie Knight 10/204 - 05/2015
Maddie is continuing on Maddie Langford's work by synthesising amino acid attended EDTA complexants for use in actinide and lanthanide separations in TALSPEAK chemistry. Maddie is also the third member of the Natrajan group to be on the amazing Chemistry Netball team and due to her silky blonde hair and sunny disposition was voted to be the Team Captain this year. |
Luke Townsend 10/2014 - 05/2015
Luke's project was on lanthanide nanoparticles and lanthanide complexes for use in biosensing applications. After finishing his MChem Luke started a PhD working for Kath Morris on Uranium and Technetium and their fates in the environment. In his spare time Luke plays guitar and pulls very odd faces (see picture). He is also very sporty as he swims, runs and plays football. He's also the second member of the Natrajan group to support Blackburn Rovers (!?!). |
Letitia Burgess 10/2013 - 05/2014
Letitia's MChem project was developed as a collaboration between Dr Louise Natrajan and Dr Scott Lewis. The aim was to develop lanthanide complexes for use in cancer imaging. Letitia decided to remain in the group after her MChem to complete a PhD and has joined the nanoparticle team. She is also on the Chemistry Netball team who are currently top of the league table and goes ice staking regularly. |
Laura Mason 10/2013 - 05/2014
Laura decided to move from the idilic Lake District to do her degree at Manchester. Her MChem project was on the synthesis of photochromic coordination complexes containing diarylethene ligands. She is now working for Professor Stephen Faulkner in Oxford. Laura has a plethora of animals including dogs, mice and chincilla's. It is her ambition to one day add an elephant to this list. |
Andrew Alker 10/2013 - 05/2014
Andrews MChem project is on the TALSPEAK process where he is developing ligands that will extract lanthanides using soft donor atoms. In his spare time Andrew plays football and badminton. He has also worked as a chef but has yet to bring in any cakes for the rest of the group to try. |
Tracy Chan 04/2012 - 08/2012
Tracy Chan worked for Louise as part of her 1 year MRes at the University of Manchester. As part of her project she studied the emission properties of lanthanides with per-fluorinated ligands. Tracy enjoys belittling Manchester's chinese restaurants (compared to what she is used to) and cares for her pet rabbit - Mr Bunny. |
Natalie Robinson 10/2011 - 05/2012
Natalie Robinson worked for Louise in the academic year (11-12), working on ligand design for uranium chemistry. Natalie enjoys watching Hollyoaks and partying like its 1999 (although hopefully not literally given her age). She has made the mistake of becoming a teacher, completing her PGCE in 2012 and is now working as a Science teacher in Cumbria. |
Debbie Jones 10/2011 - 05/2012
Debbie Jones completed her MChem project for Louise (11-12), studying the chemistry of oligo-pyridyl ligands on uranyl(VI) and lanthanides. Outside of chemistry Debbie, like all Welsh people, watches rugby, and is a professional organiser of things. She was accepted onto the Nuclear FiRST DTC scheme after her PhD. |
Madeleine Langford 10/2010 - 05/2011
Before she did a PhD in the Natrajan group, Maddie did her MChem project for Louise in 10-11, studying the luminescent properties of lanthanide complexes bearing fluorinated ligands. She did karate back then too, before she was married, but still joined in with the social activities. |
Mark Whales 10/2009 - 05/2010
Mark Whales worked for Louise on his MChem project in 09-10, working on two-photon properties of oligo-pyridyl ligands. Mark enjoyed expensive sports in his spare time, including mountain biking and skiing. So much so, that upon completion of his MChem he left the country to become a Skiing Rep. |
Asad Sarwar 10/2009 - 05/2010
Asad Sarwar did his MChem project for Louise in 09-10, studying macrocyclic transition metal complexes. Asad is a keen footballer and is also in the Zidane-headbutt re-enactment club. He is now working on his PhD in the Manchester Molecular Magnets group under Prof. Richard Winpenny. |