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My Role

I am a research fellow within the Molecular Spectroscopy Group at ISIS. My role is split into two parts,

• Part of my time I work as an instrument scientist in the MolSpec group, primarily performing local contacting duties for MAPS and TOSCA and undertaking my own programme of research
  
• The other part of my role is sponsored by specialty chemicals and technology company Johnson Matthey; using neutron-scattering techniques to address the R&D challenges they face within the business
  

​​My Background

I received my MChem in chemistry from the University of Oxford in 2007 before moving to Brisbane, Australia for my PhD at the University of Queensland, studying fluorescent materials to detect explosives under Prof Paul Burn. It was during this time that I was first introduced to neutrons, being sent to both ISIS and ANSTO to perform neutron reflectometry experiments on the thin film sensors I had made.

I was awarded my PhD in 2012 and moved back to England, where I took up an industrial role working for a leading pyrotechnics manufacturer as part of their small R&D team, developing new effects and helping to solve problems in the production of current ones. After 3 years of playing with pretty explosives, some of which made their way to events like Eurovision and the Superbowl half time show, I realised I missed the learning aspect of academia and decided to go back.

In 2015 I took up a postdoc position at Cranfield University in the Centre for Defence Chemistry, working on novel phosphine-borane polymers with low glass transition temperatures for improving the safety characteristics of future plastic explosives or propellants. two years later, when this contract ended, I moved to my current role at ISIS.​​​​

Research Interests

Since my PhD I have always had an interest in functional organic materials, organic electronics and photonics, and especially fluorescent materials. I have worked with both dendrimers and polymers in these areas. Since moving to ISIS my experience has broadened dramatically however I continue to have an interest in this area.

Along with collaborators at Swansea University I am working on proton-conducting materials such as Nafion and melanin, the latter of which has garnered interest in the field of electroceuticals. Additionally I am leading an effort to develop the capability to perform neutron scattering (particularly INS) on samples with in-situ sample illumination in order to study such things as photochromic samples or photoinitiated reactions. Lastly, I have been developing sample environments to allow fine-graded sample hydration during neutron scattering experiments as well.

Select Publications (Google Scholar Link​)​