Becki Clews 06/2023
Becki completed her Masters in Physics at the University of Liverpool, focusing on nuclear shape physics. After 9 months living in Vancouver and doing further study on nuclear deformation, she decided to start pursuing a career she's passionate about and has real-world applications. This led her to start a PhD with Phil Martin and Louise Natrajan studying the use of a combined LIBS and Raman monitoring technique for spent nuclear fuel in dry storage as part of the GREEN CDT
Outside of university she enjoys an unhealthy amount of crime documentaries, teaching her dog bad habits, and finding the best bakeries wherever she is.
Becki completed her Masters in Physics at the University of Liverpool, focusing on nuclear shape physics. After 9 months living in Vancouver and doing further study on nuclear deformation, she decided to start pursuing a career she's passionate about and has real-world applications. This led her to start a PhD with Phil Martin and Louise Natrajan studying the use of a combined LIBS and Raman monitoring technique for spent nuclear fuel in dry storage as part of the GREEN CDT
Outside of university she enjoys an unhealthy amount of crime documentaries, teaching her dog bad habits, and finding the best bakeries wherever she is.
Cerys Evans 06/2023
Cerys completed her MChem at the University of Huddersfield doing a masters project in photoactivated chemotherapy. This led her to Manchester to do a joint project between the Natrajan and Riddell group as part of the GREEN CDT looking into flexible peptide decorated polyaminocarboxylate ligands for selective extraction of radiotherapeutic metals for targeted alpha cancer therapy.
In her spare time, Cerys likes to climb, play ultimate frisbee, and trying out new art skills
Cerys completed her MChem at the University of Huddersfield doing a masters project in photoactivated chemotherapy. This led her to Manchester to do a joint project between the Natrajan and Riddell group as part of the GREEN CDT looking into flexible peptide decorated polyaminocarboxylate ligands for selective extraction of radiotherapeutic metals for targeted alpha cancer therapy.
In her spare time, Cerys likes to climb, play ultimate frisbee, and trying out new art skills
Corinne Hatton 06/2022
Corinne completed her MChem at the University of Sheffield with her third year taking place at Monash University in Melbourne. Her project is looking into the interactions, chemical bonding and REDOX transformations of aqueous uranium species with iron minerals using experimental studies and hybrid DFT models. Her fourth-year project in the Meijer group modelling copper photosensitisers led her to Manchester to do a joint project between the Natrajan and Kaltsoyannis group as part of the GREEN CDT.
In her spare time, Corinne likes to row, travel, and guess secret ingredients.
Corinne completed her MChem at the University of Sheffield with her third year taking place at Monash University in Melbourne. Her project is looking into the interactions, chemical bonding and REDOX transformations of aqueous uranium species with iron minerals using experimental studies and hybrid DFT models. Her fourth-year project in the Meijer group modelling copper photosensitisers led her to Manchester to do a joint project between the Natrajan and Kaltsoyannis group as part of the GREEN CDT.
In her spare time, Corinne likes to row, travel, and guess secret ingredients.
Connor Hopkins 09/2021
Connor completed his MChem at Newcastle University, with an industrial placement at Johnson Matthey in electrocatalysis and final year project in s-block organometallics. He is now working in the Natrajan group on investigating the photophysics of uranyl V/VI complexes and their potential application towards photocatalysis.
In his spare time Connor is either complaining about the price of a pint in Manchester or sleeping.
Connor completed his MChem at Newcastle University, with an industrial placement at Johnson Matthey in electrocatalysis and final year project in s-block organometallics. He is now working in the Natrajan group on investigating the photophysics of uranyl V/VI complexes and their potential application towards photocatalysis.
In his spare time Connor is either complaining about the price of a pint in Manchester or sleeping.
Harriet Simmonds 09/2021
Harriet completed her MChem at the University of Manchester. She joined the Natrajan group during her fourth year project to work on luminescent probes for the detection of uranyl. She loved Manchester and the group so much that she has stayed on for a PhD! She will be continuing David Moulding’s work on air-sensitive uranium organometallic chemistry working alongside the Willcox and Mills groups.
Outside of the lab, Harriet enjoys long walks on the beach, binging Netflix, and trying to convince people that cider is a better choice of drink than beer.
Harriet completed her MChem at the University of Manchester. She joined the Natrajan group during her fourth year project to work on luminescent probes for the detection of uranyl. She loved Manchester and the group so much that she has stayed on for a PhD! She will be continuing David Moulding’s work on air-sensitive uranium organometallic chemistry working alongside the Willcox and Mills groups.
Outside of the lab, Harriet enjoys long walks on the beach, binging Netflix, and trying to convince people that cider is a better choice of drink than beer.
Ruth Abramson 09/2021
After finishing her MChem in the Natrajan group, Ruth is back for a PhD as a BBSRC DTP student with Prof. Sam Hay and Dr. Alice Bowen looking at using upconversion for catalysis.
In her spare time, Ruth enjoys playing playing video games, ordering takeaway and spending too much money online shopping.
After finishing her MChem in the Natrajan group, Ruth is back for a PhD as a BBSRC DTP student with Prof. Sam Hay and Dr. Alice Bowen looking at using upconversion for catalysis.
In her spare time, Ruth enjoys playing playing video games, ordering takeaway and spending too much money online shopping.
Lauren Walker 06/2021
Lauren completed her MChem at University of Leeds undertaking a masters project on the self-assembly of an amorphous calcium carbonate microlens array with the Meldrum group. She is now working with Francis Livens and Louise Natrajan, investigating improved quantification of f-element fission products with the GREEN CDT.
Outside of the lab Lauren enjoys running, baking, and playing netball.
Lauren completed her MChem at University of Leeds undertaking a masters project on the self-assembly of an amorphous calcium carbonate microlens array with the Meldrum group. She is now working with Francis Livens and Louise Natrajan, investigating improved quantification of f-element fission products with the GREEN CDT.
Outside of the lab Lauren enjoys running, baking, and playing netball.
Laura Lopez Odriozola 01/2021
After 4 years at Durham, Laura discovered a love of fluorescence during her final year MChem project investigating the luminescent properties of ancient pigments with Prof Andy Beeby. This, combined with a love for northern prices, led her to start an NNL and NDA funded PhD project looking at the interactions of uranium with geological minerals with the Natrajan group and Prof. Sam Shaw. In her spare time Laura enjoys the pub, watching Netflix and cooking. |
Elliott Nunn 09/2020
Elliott spent his first 4 years at Manchester in which he completed his Masters in force activated retrocycloadditions of mechanophores with Dr Guillaume De Bo. Despite the gloomy Manchester weather he decided to stay to develop new and improved pressure sensitive paint formulations with the Natrajan group. In his spare time Elliott enjoys making sushi, canoeing, spending money he doesn’t have and anything to do with Dobermans. |
Daniel Taylor 09/2019
Having already spent 4 years at Manchester for his MChem degree, the final year of which he arguably spent as a biologist, Dan decided that he quite fancied being a physical chemist instead and joins us for a PhD in collaboration with the Manchester NMR Methodology Group. He will be using hyperpolarization to monitor reactions by NMR and will spend some time in the lab synthesising catalysts to do this. When he's not in the lab or admiring the spectrometers in the basement, Dan thrives off heated debates with his main supervisor, Dr Ralph Adams, on the correct spelling of hyperpolarization. He also enjoys talking to people for far too long, a trait he's inherited from his grandad, and complaining that he's cold despite refusing to wear a coat. |
Ciarán Rogers 09/2019
Ciarán joins us from Ireland to do some synthesis of model systems for EPR studies with Dr. Alice Bowen. After a year of travelling South America, he's swapped piña coladas on the Copacabana for spectroscopy in the Photon Science Institute. He completed his BA. Mod in Medicinal Chemistry at Trinity College, Dublin, with research placements at CNAM, Paris and Université Paul Sabatier III, Toulouse. Ciarán loves planes, travelling, and likes to think he's a good swimmer. He's always wanting to practice his Spanish and makes a mean cherry bakewell, despite what others in the office may think. |
Matt Thornton 09/2019
Originally completing his MChem degree at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Matt decided to move to sunny Manchester after spending his final year researching photocatalytic polymers for use in 3D printing with Dr. Filipe Vilela. He is now working as a BBSRC DTP student with the Natrajan group on lanthanide complexes for molecular upconversion, with a focus on biological applications. In his spare time Matt enjoys Wetherspoons prices and heated debates discussing the blond/ginger/strawberry blond (?) colour of his hair. |
Kieron Enright 09/2018
Kieron completed a summer project in the Natrajan group in 2016, and one in the Ingleson group in 2017 during his undergraduate studies at The University of Manchester. He graduated from the MChem course in 2018 and now starts an NNL funded PhD studying biomolecule based fluorescent sensors for the selective detection of uranium in different oxidation states.
Kieron completed a summer project in the Natrajan group in 2016, and one in the Ingleson group in 2017 during his undergraduate studies at The University of Manchester. He graduated from the MChem course in 2018 and now starts an NNL funded PhD studying biomolecule based fluorescent sensors for the selective detection of uranium in different oxidation states.
Daniel Bell 09/2018 - 08/2022
Dan spent four years at the University of Leeds completing his MChem degree with a final year research project in the Halcrow group on spin-crossover tridentate Fe(II) complexes. His current research focuses on the synthesis of multinuclear supramolecular architectures, comprising of lanthanide ions, for drug encapsulation, delivery and bio imaging. His main PhD supervisor is Dr Imogen Riddell.
Outside of the lab, Dan enjoys ignoring text messages, complaining, and cheese.
Dan spent four years at the University of Leeds completing his MChem degree with a final year research project in the Halcrow group on spin-crossover tridentate Fe(II) complexes. His current research focuses on the synthesis of multinuclear supramolecular architectures, comprising of lanthanide ions, for drug encapsulation, delivery and bio imaging. His main PhD supervisor is Dr Imogen Riddell.
Outside of the lab, Dan enjoys ignoring text messages, complaining, and cheese.
Jonathan Cryer 09/2017 - 05/2022
Having completed both a summer project and an MChem project with the Natrajan group, Jonathan is back again for a PhD! He is working on actinyl cation-cation interactions in a joint PhD between the Natrajan and Liddle groups, as part of the NGN CDT.
Having completed both a summer project and an MChem project with the Natrajan group, Jonathan is back again for a PhD! He is working on actinyl cation-cation interactions in a joint PhD between the Natrajan and Liddle groups, as part of the NGN CDT.
Hannah Wilson 09/2017 - 03/2022
Hannah studied for her undergrad in Oxford, spending her final year working on the self-assembly of luminescent lanthanide complexes with Prof Steve Faulkner. Having survived four years in The South, she has now moved to Manchester to study upconverting nanoparticles in the Natrajan group, looking to develop biosensors for metal ions. Hannah is on the BBSRC DTP, and is becoming a more convincing biologist every day (she thinks!). Hannah enjoys playing the piano, abusing conference travel privileges and all things arty or edible. |
Jessica Higgins 09/2016 - 12/2020
Initially completing her MChem at Manchester Metropolitan University on the stability of mephedrone, Jess decided she’d had enough of drugs and became an inorganic scale-up chemist instead. However, after a brief foray into industry she took the opportunity to return to the academic sphere taking on a PhD in spent fuel corrosion, funded by the NDA. Jess cannot comprehend why people stand at the edge of a stormy sea, a somewhat nihilistic pursuit. For her next PhD she is considering a topic relating to modern evolution. She is currently gathering evidence for her first book; “Darwinism in Millennial Man: Death by Selfie stick”. |
David Moulding 01/2015 - 01/ 2019
David's interest in the nuclear industry and inorganic synthesis lead him to join Team Natrajan after completing his MChem at The University of St Andrews. He'll be continuing Simon's work on air-sensitive uranium chemistry. His PhD is funded by the Leverhulme Trust. David is the third member of the group to support Blackburn Rovers but his black belt in every martial art means that he is rarely teased for such poor taste. |
Vanessa Timmermann 09/2014 - 09/2018
Vanessa completed her undergraduate degree at The University of Oldenburg in Germany. She's traveled to Manchester to start her PhD on air sensitive uranium (V) chemistry. She might dabble in some lanthanide chemistry in the future too. Her PhD is funded by the Leverhulme Trust. Vanessa's love of languages is second only to her love of Chemistry . She's fluent in both English and German but can also speak French, Dutch, Italian and Japanese. She also knows some very important words in Russian "I want vodka!". She is also a frequent baker, with tomato and olive bread being her speciality. |
Letitia Burgess 09/2014 - 06/2018
Letitia completed her MChem at The University of Manchester, with her project in the Natrajan group working on developing lanthanide complexes for use in biological tissue imaging . She loved Team Natrajan so much she decided to stay on and study a PhD in the group. She will be working on covalently functionalising upconverting nanophosphors to biomolecules for biosensing applications. Letitia is the second student in the group on the BBSRC DTP. In her spare time Letitia can either be found ice staking at the local rink or on the netball court wiping the floor with the opposition. She was also forced to watch the Great British Bake Off as her PhD initiation into the group. |
Victoria Stafford 09/2013 - 07/2018
Toria worked on Iridium anti-cancer complexes to complete her MChem at the University of Warwick. Her PhD project follows on from Sean's, studying air-sensitive chemistry of uranium especially cation-cation interactions, possibly extending to trans-uranic chemistry at a later stage of her PhD. Her PhD is funded by the Leverhulme Trust. In her spare time Toria enjoys dying her hair, baking and being a fruitbat. She, like Aruna, is a 90s child and therefore too young. |
Mark Williams 01/2014- 10/2017
Before joining Team Natrajan Mark worked with Sven Koehler using molecular modelling to model surface dynamics. He is known to his friends as Mark 'Danger' Williams and so to live up to his name he decided to move from a computer into a radioactive lab for his PhD. He is now working on actinide fluorescence, looking at characterisation of uranyl adsorption to clay minerals. Mark is on the Nuclear FiRST DTC. Mark also suffers from squinty eye syndrome and has a disgusting addiction to milkshakes which Team Natrajan are trying to help him overcome by frequent interventions and aversion therapy. |
Aruna Reddy 09/2013 - 05/2017
Aruna completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Manchester working on dirty organic chemistry. She started working for the Natrajan group in 2013 alongside Chloë and Peter, and her project involves the combination of uranium chemistry with bio-organic molecules, join with Sam hay in MIB dept. of Manchester. Aruna is from the funky city of Preston and in her spare time enjoys shark fishing (pictured). Currently her goal in life is to sucessfully bake a victoria sponge, as despite being a Chemist she has yet to take anything unburnt out of the oven. Aruna has not gone far and has undertaken some PDRA work for Clint Sharrad in North Campus. |
Irem Yalavac 09/2012 - 12/2016
Irem Yalavac completed her MChem degree at the University of Manchester, where she worked on her MChem project in the Jim Thomas group, involving Diels-Alder reactions and other organic stuff. She decided to stay in Manchester and, having barely started, is looking forward to finishing her PhD, working joint with Prof. David Procter on characterization and application of SmI2 complexes. Her PhD is funded by the EPSRC. Not much is known about Irem due to the increasingly secretive and anti-social nature of organic chemists. Barred from social activity for at least 3 quarters the day, Irem probably spends her time running columns like most organic chemists. However, rumours say she enjoys travelling and is a massive back to the future geek |
Debbie Jones 06/2013- 11/2016
After finishing her MChem for Louise, Debbie got a place on the Nuclear FiRST DTC Scheme. She chose to work for Louise and Professor John LLoyd in her second placement working on luminescence with bacteria samples. She intends to work for both on her full PhD project and will therefore work join in environmental chemistry. Due to spending increasing amounts of time with bacteria, Debbie has been known to wander round the lab referring to them as 'my babies' and 'my precious' as well as perching on stools talking to herself. Debbie is an avid photographer, a very pro-active member of the B-club and inventor of the Deb-Step. |
Chloë Oakland 04/2013- 11/2016
Chloë studied for her undergraduate degree at Sheffield Hallam University, making her the second Sheffield undergrad in team Natrajan. She gained a BSc in pharmaceutical science and also took a year in industry at Vectura. She was rated as one of the best students at Hallam University and in doing so won a RSC Analytical prize in her second year. She now works for Louise and Dr Sam Hay on imaging and luminescence, working with Dr Peter Harvey; her mentor and she his prodigy. When not doing borderline biological chemistry, Chloë is a big fan of the seaside, and has in fact won the Anglesea Sandcastle Building Championship five years in a row. Unfortunately she lost the Blackpool title last year and has vowed not to rest until the 'golden donkey' trophy is back in her hands. She is also a cake enthusiast and will one day appear on the great British bake-off. |
Alasdair Formanuik 06/2013-09/2016
Ally studied at Bristol University as an undergraduate and did synthetic organic chemistry in his masters year. Realising inorganic chemistry is better, Ally successfully applied for a Nuclear FiRST DTC position and worked for Louise in his first mini-placement, developing the coordination chemistry of acac-based ligands with uranyl. He is due to work for Louise and Dr David Mills starting september 2013. Ally has an unrivaled love of bridges and one day hopes to be reincarnated as a polar bear. He is also the first regular member of the inorganic chemistry football team in Team Natrajan since Sean years ago. Having been away from Bristol for far too long, Ali has decided to move back and begin his career in consultancy, saying goodbye to his days in the lab! Good Luck Ali! |
Lucy Jones 09/2010 - 04/2016
Lucy Jones moved to Manchester to take up a joint PhD with Louise and Dr Steve Magennis after completing her MChem at Cardiff University. She studied two-photon chemistry of the platinum group metal complexes using terpy based ligands. Her PhD was funded by the EPSRC. Outside of work, Lucy enjoys Vodka, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and driving round in a car that would probably glow in the dark even if it had been wrapped in tin-foil. Lucy has now moved to Surrey and is teaching Chemistry. |
Lizzie Boreham 01/2012 - 03/2016
Lizzie Boreham received her MChem from the University of Manchester and went into industry. Realising her error, she came back to undertake an MPhil (which turned into a full-blown PhD) for Louise, also exploring two-photon chemistry. Applying an industry gained efficiency and methodology to her work, Lizzie focused on organic chromophores. Her PhD was funded by the EPSRC. In her spare time, Lizzie enjoys blocking up roads in mass bike rides, raving, drinking lots and playing the oboe. She is also possibly a multi-coloured vegetarian, but is strongly in denial about this. Lizzie couldn't pry herself away from the bright lights of Manchester or synthetic chemistry and is now working at a company making dyes for various applications. |
Madeleine Langford-Paden 07/2011 - 10/2015
Madeleine Langford worked for Louise on her MChem project in the University of Manchester, and enjoyed it that much she stayed on for more. Working jointly with Dr Clint Sharrad and Dr Leigh Martin in the US, Maddie researched separation chemistry - the American way, looking into the TALSPEAK process. Her PhD will involved several work placements across the pond in the states. Her PhD was funded by the EPSRC. Outside of work Maddie enjoys tenpin bowling, ballroom dancing with her husband and Shotokan karate. She also joins in with group socialising activities. Maddie has now moved back to her hometown of Blackpool and is teaching Chemistry. |
Simon Randall 09/2010 - 08/2016
Simon Randall completed his BSc degree at Oxford University. His pursuit of uranium chemistry led him to take up a PhD at the University of Manchester under Louise's guidance. His interest was primarily in air-sensitive uranium chemistry, but he also enjoyed writing increasingly fiendish safety forms for the safety officer to sign. His PhD was funded by the EPSRC. Allergic to hugs, other humans and possibly life itself, Simon is best found consuming fine ciders and whiskies and enjoying the culture of Rusholme. |
Christopher Green 09/2010 - 11/2014
Chris Green received his MChem from the University of Manchester, and subsequently stayed on to do a PhD in the Nuclear FiRST scheme alongside Dan Whittaker. Also like Dan, Chris was interested in separation chemistry, but combined occasional sojourns into the lab with lots of die-hard computational chemistry. He worked for Dr Louise Natrajan alongside Dr Clint Sharrad and Dr Neil Burton. When not losing his soul to Fortran, Chris can often be found riding on his motorcycle, or perhaps styling his massive hair, which is, of course, a big hit with the ladies. Chris has now left the University for a bright career in decommissioning. |
Daniel Whittaker 05/2010 - 06/2014
Daniel Whittaker obtained his MChem from the University of Manchester. Rather than follow in the family peg-selling business, Dan opted to take part in the Nuclear FiRST DTC Scheme, and (unfortunately for her) chose Louise as one of his supervisors (alongside Dr Clint Sharrad as his main supervisor). Dan’s main aim was to investigate ligands that are to be used in the separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides in the nuclear fuel cycle, and generally ‘to do good science’. When not growing crystals, Dan could be found trying to drown himself in a pool or quarry, or continuing his never-ending quest to find a hair-restoration cream that works. Dan joined NNL in October 2014 in the radiochemistry team at central labs and will work on international P&T projects. |
Sean Woodall 09/2009 - 06/2014
Sean Woodall obtained his MChem from the University of Sheffield. His PhD involved the synthesis and understanding of actinyl complexes, especially those that display cation-cation interactions, and working with trans-uranic actinides in the hot lab or Germany (none of this wussy uranium chemistry). His PhD was funded by the EPSRC. When not turning the taps on his Schlenk line, Sean will most likely be found involved in football in some way, or waiting for the gym to open in the early hours of the morning. He can often be found inexplicably and indiscriminately abusing other members of the Natrajan group. Sean now lives in a church and works at NNL. |