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Zivani Varanaraja

Current Role: Research Fellow

PhD: Chemistry (P-F1P0)

Zivani is currently working as a Research Fellow and her list of publications can be found below. She is a highly motivated and outgoing researcher with a strong background in polymer chemistry and a passion for scientific communication. In 2020, she achieved a MSc in Chemistry with Scientific Writing, during which she published a review. In October 2024, Zivani completed her PhD in the Becer Group, sponsored by Infineum. Her PhD project was focused on synthesising 2-oxazoline/2-oxazine based polymers with specific functionality.

Zivani Varanaraja

Email: z.varanaraja@warwick.ac.uk 

LinkedIn profile: Zivani VaranarajaLink opens in a new window

Research group profile: Becer GroupLink opens in a new window

Publications:

1. C. Nutting, J. Lefley, Z. Varanaraja, G. Yilmaz, R. Becer, Effect of Molar Mass of Poly(2-oxazoline) based Glycopolymers on Lectin Binding, Polymer Chemistry, 2024, 15, 5023-5031.Link opens in a new window

2. M. Godzina, R. Terracciano , Z. Varanaraja , D. MacKinnon , R. Becer, Self-assembled nanoparticles of PEG and poly(2-oxazoline) based lactide block copolymers, European Polymer Journal, 2024, 221, 113517.Link opens in a new window

3. Z. Varanaraja, J. Lefley, S. Vural, R. Becer, G. Yilmaz, in Click Chemistry in Polymer Science: Designs to Applications, N. Singha, P. Mondal, R. Hoogenboom, 2024, ch. 14, pp. 378-403.Link opens in a new window

4. Z. Varanaraja, R. Gadaga, J. Lefley, T. Rheinberger, F. Wurm, R. Becer, Degradable Polymer Architectures based on Polyphosphonate, Poly(2-oxazoline) and Poly(2-oxazine), Macromolecules, 2024, 57, 9853-9866Link opens in a new window.

5. R.Terracciano, Y. Liu, Z. Varanaraja, M. Godzina, G. Yilmaz, J.C.M. van Hest, R. Becer, Poly(2-oxazoline)-Based Thermoresponsive Stomatocytes, Biomacromolecules, 2024,25,6050–6059.Link opens in a new window

6. Z. Varanaraja, R.Terracciano, N.Hollingsworth, R.Green, J.Beament, R.Becer, Utilization of Anthracene-Functionalized Poly(2-oxazolines) as a Dispersant of Carbon Black in Water and Dodecane, Macromolecules, 2024, 57 (12), 5769-5779.Link opens in a new window

7. J.Lefley, R.Terracciano, Z. Varanaraja, J.Beament, R.Becer, Self-Assembly Behavior of Amphiphilic Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(2-isostearyl-2-oxazoline) Block Copolymers, Macromolecules, 2024, 57 (12), 5881-5891.Link opens in a new window

8. J.Lefley, Z. Varanaraja, B.A.Drain, S.Huband, J.Beament, R.Becer, Amphiphilic oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)s via straightforward synthesis and their self-assembly behaviour, Polymer Chemistry, 2023, 14, 4890-4897.Link opens in a new window

9. Z. Varanaraja, N.Hollingsworth, R.Green, R.Becer, Poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)-Based Copolymer Library with a Thermoresponsive Behavior in Dodecane, ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2023, 5, 5158–5168.Link opens in a new window

10. Z. Varanaraja, J.Kim, R.Becer, Poly(2-oxazine)s: A comprehensive overview of the polymer structures, physical properties and applications, European Polymer Journal, 2021, 147.Link opens in a new window

Current Role:

Research Fellow, The University of Warwick

  • Leading the development of polymeric materials with tailored functionalities for specific applications.
  • Conducting COSHH assessments of chemicals and ensuring compliance with the university policies to minimise risk.
  • Assessment of dispersants and materials’ conductivity via film formation.
  • Assisting the PI with the management of the research group and mentoring the younger Masters and PhD students.
  • Collaboration with industry and external academics, including the organisation of internal and external outreach events e.g. YRM.

Academic Background:

PhD Polymer Chemistry (2020-2024), Becer Research Group, The University of Warwick

Infineum UK Ltd. | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

Supervisor: Professor Remzi Becer

PhD project was funded by Infineum and focused on synthesizing 2-oxazoline/2-oxazine polymers with specific functionality.

MSc Chemistry with Scientific Writing (2019-2020), The University of Warwick

Modules: Polymer Laboratories, Focused Scientific Writing, Extended Scientific Writing, Science Communication, Polymers in the Real World, Team Research Project: Real World Analysis, Thinking Water (IL905) and Research Project.

Master's Research Project (supervised by Professor Remzi Becer):

1. Literature review titled "Poly(2-oxazine)s: A comprehensive overview of the polymer structures, physical properties and applications"

A review on poly(2-oxazine)s (POz) was written and published. The aim of the review was to deliver an overview on the chemistry of 2-oxazines and its polymerisation, as well as a comprehensive summary of all POz homo- and copolymers to date.

2. Project

MSc project was centred on the copolymerisation and homopolymerisation of 2-oxazolines and 2-oxazines. Specifically, it focused on investigating how the R group on the oxazine affected the rate of homopolymerisation and copolymerisation with 2-oxazoline. Soy-based 2-oxazoline monomer (FaOx), soy-based 2-oxazine monomer (FaOz) and 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) were studied.

Zivani Varanaraja

BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (2016-2019), The University of Warwick