Dr Lona Alkhalaf

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

The main research focus of the group is the chemistry and biology of natural products e.g. antibiotics, siderophores, phytotoxins, autoinducers and other bioactive metabolites.

Research in the Challis group encompasses diverse aspects of the chemistry and biology of natural products, including genomics-driven discovery of new bioactive metabolites, elucidation of novel pathways for natural product biosynthesis, mechanistic enzymology of unusual biosynthetic enzymes, biosynthetic engineering approaches to the production of novel natural product derivatives, the total synthesis of the natural products we discover, and elucidation of the biological functions of natural products.

Research Groups

Challis / Alkhalaf Group

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, student-centred, collaborative.

Provision of Training

I tailor my training strategies to the individual student. Students will progress towards becoming more independent throughout the PhD.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I tailor progression and monitoring management to the individual’s needs to ensure they make good progress throughout the course of the PhD. At a minimum we will meet with monthly to discuss progress and plan next steps, with more ad-hoc meetings when needed.

Communication

I tailor my communication style according to the individual’s needs. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per month

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per month

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per month

These meetings will be a mixture of face to face and video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Pattern

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Co-supervisor on a project with Dr Fabrizio Alberti.

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Structural and Mechanistic Characterisation of Bacterial Natural Product Targets

Co-supervisor on projects with Professor Greg Challis and Dr Alex Mullins.