Draper group Christmas Dec 2023: L Rebecca, Nick, Connor, Ben and Ziyao. R Lineta, Jess, Joulie, Emily, Bart and Qayyum
Current Members:
PDRA:
Dr. Bart Dietrich (Oct 2021 – Sept 2024). After completing a first degree in music (jazz composition) at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, Bart studied chemistry at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, obtaining an MChem (1st class honours) and then a PhD in organic chemistry (Diels-Alder reactions of furan-diazenes). After a couple of postdocs at the UEA (synthesis of phthalocyanines then duocarmycin-analogues), he worked at Key Organics Ltd (Camelford, Cornwall) for over four years, synthesizing small heterocyclic building blocks for the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as being part of a long-term in-house drug-discovery project which resulted in a patent. Following his employment with Key Organics, Bart moved to the University of Liverpool and then the University of Glasgow to work for Prof Dave Adams, initially on an industry-sponsored project into infrared polymerisation initiators, then on the synthesis of hydrogelators and the development of analytical equipment as required by the group. Bart then joined the Draper group to work on hydrogelators for optoelectronic applications.
Dr. Benjamin Orimolade (Aug 2023 – July 2024) He obtained his first degree (1st class honours) and MSc degree (Distinction) in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. After completing his PhD study in Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, he joined the University of South Africa (UNISA) as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. He has carried out extensive research on the construction and enhancement of photoelectrochemical system for degradation of recalcitrant organic compounds in wastewater through the use of modified visible light responsive heterostructured photoanodes. He joined the Draper group to work on the preparation of organic based electrochromic thin films to be applied as coatings on glass substrates.
PhD:
David Morrison, (Dec 2019 – Dec 2023). Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, David completed a BSc (Hons) degree in physics at the University of Glasgow in 2018. In his final year, David joined the experimental particle physics research group, looking at analysing the performance of novel solid-state particle detectors. David then earned his Master’s degree in nuclear technology, also from the University of Glasgow. His thesis project, under the supervision of Dr. Björn Seitz, used Monte Carlo simulation to analyse the performance of radiation shielding concretes used in proton therapy. In December 2019, David began a PhD at the University of Strathclyde with Prof. Lunn and Dr. Pedrotti, in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in collaboration with Dr. Draper. His work investigates injectable colloidal silica hydrogels used as hydraulic barriers in nuclear decommissioning, with a particular focus on their combination with polymers to improve and modify gel performance. His PhD is funded by SRPE in collaboration with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
Amina Rezig, (Feb 2020-Feb 2024) Self-funded. Amina completed her undergraduate studies in Chemistry and Forensic Sciences at Kuwait University in winter 2017. Following this, she moved to Glasgow and got a PGDip in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (2017-2018) and a Masters Degree in Biomedical Sciences (2018-2019) from the University of Glasgow. During her Masters, Amina investigated the post-translational modifications of the cAMP effector POPDC1 protein and its interaction with the cAMP regulator PDE4A5 protein in HEK293 cells under the supervision of Prof. George Baillie. Amina is currently working on a joint PhD project between Chemistry (Draper group) and Cell Engineering (Riehle group) to develop new conducting gel materials that are able to support nerve regeneration. Her work is based on synthesizing cell-friendly Perylenebisimide-based hydrogels, and the most promising materials are to be incorporated into in vitro and in vivo examinations.
Rebecca Ginesi, (Oct 2020 – Sept 2024) PhD student. Rebecca completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. As part of her degree, she spent a year on placement at the University of Barcelona under the supervision of Professor Anna Grandas. During her placement she focused on the double derivatisation of oligonucleotides using copper-free “click” chemistry. Her MChem work with Dr Draper focused on how counter ions effects perylene gels and their electrochemical properties. She is now looking at how the aggregation of perylene directly effects their conductive properties.
Nick Murray, (Oct 2021 – Sept 2025) PhD student. Nick completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Glasgow, where he gained a first class MSci degree in Chemistry with European placement. As part of his degree, he spent a year on placement in Radboud University in the Netherlands working under the supervision of Professor Wilhelm Huck. The project he carried out during this placement was focused on the synthesis and characterisation of photoswitchable inhibitors of trypsin and chymotrypsin. His PhD project in the Draper lab is based on the synthesis and self-assembly of water-soluble electrochromic materials. These materials are made using small aromatic organic molecules, which will then be processed into thin films. These films will be used will be used in devices that reversibly change colour upon the application of a small voltage. It is hoped that these materials can find use in things such as sensors, optical devices, and smart glass.
Connor MacDonald, (Oct 2022 – Sept 2026) PhD student. Connor completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Glasgow, where he achieved a first class in his Chemistry MSci. As part of his degree, he spent a year on placement at Charles River in Edinburgh as part of the department of animal metabolism, investigating the degradation pathways and kinetics of a number of novel agrochemicals as part of regulatory safety assessment. He returned to the company after graduating to similarly investigate the environmental fate of novel agrochemicals. His MSci project with Prof. Richard Hartley investigated the synthesis of two-photon photoactivatable inducers of genetic expression to achieve localised and temporal genetic expression, and his current PhD project with Dr. Emily Draper looks at developing quantitative structure-property machine learning models to predict compounds which exhibit desirable properties which are currently found predominantly by extensive investigation or serendipity.
Ziyao Xu, (Oct 2022 – Sept 2026) PhD student. Ziyao completed her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Hubei University. She then studied at Shenzhen University under the supervision of Professor Xuechang Zhou for a master’s degree. During this project, Ziyao focused on environmentally adaptive hydrogels and their anti-icing, anti-swelling and anti-fogging applications. Now she is under the supervision of Dr. Emily Draper at the University of Glasgow, investigating organic small molecules as alternative materials with photothermal effects for the use of thermoelectric materials and fabrication of thermoelectric generators.
Lineta Stonkute, (Oct 2023 – Sept 2027) CDT PhD student. Originally from Palanga, Lithuania: Lineta moved to Scotland in 2015, where she completed her undergraduate degree in biomedical science at the University of Aberdeen. Lineta then received her master’s degree in stem cell engineering for regenerative medicine at the University of Glasgow in 2021. Following her degree Lineta gained experience working at Q² Solutions focusing on drug discovery and development in the department of immunology. Currently Lineta is undertaking a multidisciplinary PhD under the supervision of Dr. Emily Draper between the departments of chemistry and cell engineering. Her project will focus on the synthesis and development of new hydrogels for applications in nerve repair.
B.Sc:
Qayyum Wan Mohd Faizal, (September 2023 – May 2024) Aspiring final year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of Glasgow. Under the supervision of Dr Emily Draper, Qayyum’s project is focused on developing transparent to black electrochromic material for use in anti-glare technology.
Past Members:
PDRA:
Dr. Joulie Axelithioti (Jan 2023 – Jan 2024)
Dr. Tom Welsh, (Nov 2019 – July 2022).
Dr. Glen Brodie, (June 2020 – August 2020)
Dr. Giovanni Rossi, (March 2018- March 2019)
Graduated PhD students:
Dr. Jacquelyn Egan, (Oct 2019 – Sept 2023)
Dr. Becky Randle, (Oct 2018 – Aug 2022)
M.Sci/M.Sc/M.Chem:
Kelly Tang (Sept 2022 – May 2023). M.Sci student.
Gregor Macleod, (Sept 2021 – May 2022) M. Sci student.
Yuhan Zhang, (June 2021 – Sept 2021) M.Sc student.
Jun Han, (Sept 2020 – Dec 2020) M.Sc student.
Rebecca Ginesi, (Sept 2019 – June 2020) M.Sci Student. Now studying for a PhD in the group.
Victoria Adams, (Sept 2018-June 2019) M.Sci Student.
Ilze Lace (Sept 2017-May 2018) M.Sci student.
Lewis Archibald (Sept 2016-May 2017). M.Sci student.
Ben Greeves (Jan-Sept 2016) – M.Chem student. Also carried out an EPSRC summer vacation bursary.
Boxiong Zhao (Oct 2015-Sept 2016). M.Sc. Joint with Dr. Akhtar (School of Biological Engineering, Uni. of Liverpool).
B.Sc:
Cara Gillespie (Sept 2022 – May 2023).
Olivia Hanlon, (Sept 2021 – May 2022)
Alistair Imlay, (Sept 2018-June 2019)
William Thompson (Sept 2017 – May 2018).
Placement Students:
Jessica Milia, (June 2023 – Dec 2023)
Patrick Billu, (July – Dec 2022) Erasmus+ studentship.
Juan Mena, (June – Dec 2019) Erasmus placement student from University of Granada, Spain.
Jacquelyn Egan, (Jan-April 2019) Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholar.
Alexis Jimenez, (June-July 2018) Arcardia placement student.
Laura Gonzalez (June-Dec 2017) Erasmus placement student from University of Granada, Spain.
Sarah Guinane (July-Aug 2017) EPSRC summer vacation student.
Draper Research Group 