Summary

My name is Rahul Patel and I am studying my masters in Chemistry with Scientific Writing based at the University of Warwick. I am currently conducting research for my master's project within the Haddleton group, titled 'Synthesis and Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies of high χ block copolymers' expected to be completed by September 2018.

Contact Information

Address : University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL.

Email : R dot patel dot 11 at warwick dot ac dot uk

Linkedin profile : Rahul Patel

Academic Background

MSc Chemistry with Scientific Writing, University of Warwick (September 2017 - September 2018).

Modules : Focused Scientific Writing, Extended Scientific Writing, Science Communication, Polymer Synthesis, Polymers in the Real World, Chromatography, Electrochemistry, Science Communication, Habitability and Research Project.

BSc Chemistry, University of Brighton (September 2014 - July 2017), Graduated with Upper Second Class Honours.

• Final Year Modules included - Advanced Chemistry Modules, Inderpendant Biological Chemistry, Bio-organic and inorganic Chemistry, Soft Matter and Polymers, Analytical Methodology, Pharmaceutical Industry and Research Project.
• Group Winners for Phenomenex challenge.

International Baccalaureate Diploma, Kent College Canterbury ( 2009 - 2014), PASS, Subjects included (Chemistry, Physics, Business , Maths, English and Spanish).

Research Projects

MSc Project - Titled 'Synthesis and Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies of high χ block copolymers'.

Supervisor - Professor David. M. Haddleton.

The overall aim of this project is to synthesise and characterise small domain block copolymer assemblies that are high χ, which have applications in the microelectronic industry and photolithographic techniques. High χ materials, where χ is the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter are very desirable materials as they are able to microphase separate into very small domain sizes. The block copolymers will be synthesised from a descrete initiator and be fully characterised using NMR, GPC, MALDI-TOF-MS, TEM and SAXS.

BSc Project - Titled 'The immobilisation of horseradish peroxidase on glass beads and pre-aminated solid support'.

Supervisor - Dr Nicolas Stewart.

The main aim of this project was to immobilise the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on glass beads and pre-aminated support. Immobilised HRP has many applications with most uses involved in wastewater treatment and organic synthesise. This project is a qualitative assessment between two techniques of immobilisation glutaraldehyde cross-linking and lyophilisation. A chromogenic assay was optimised with initial rates determined to estimate HRP activity after immobilisation. HRP is a robust enzyme capable of remaining active in various pH environments. Immobilisation was qualitatively compared at different pH environments with results indicating after immobilisation, the optimum pH drops from pH 7 to pH 6. The lyophilisation method outperformed the GTA cross-linking method with higher HRP activities obtained for all materials in different pH environments. Further improvements are required for both techniques before a quantitative assessment can be made between the methods with future ambitions of immobilising Transglutaminase 2.

Extra Curricular Activites

I am a keen sportsman with interests in many sports (e.g Cricket, Tennis, Badminton, Boxing), although my love is for football as I regularly attend social football sessions at the university. I am also a member of the Chemsoc society and attend events hosted by the club.