The Team
Leverhulme Trust Early Career Research Fellow (Independent)
Evelina Liarou
2022-2024: MSCA-Eutopia SIF Fellow | Advanced Electron Microscopy of Polymerization Mechanisms | Dep. of Chemistry - Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Warwick
2020-2022: FWO Postdoctoral Fellow | Light Stabilized Dynamic Polymer Transformations | Dep. of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Belgium - Du Prez group
2016-2020: PhD in Chemistry | thesis: Oxygen Tolerant Cu-mediated Reversible Deactivation Radical Polymerization | Dep. of Chemistry, University of Warwick, UK - Haddleton group
2014-2016: MSc in Chemistry | thesis: Synthesis and Characterization of multifunctional diblock terpolymers of the type poly(ethylene oxide)-block- poly(histidine-co-tyrosine). Aggregation phenomena in aqueous media | Dep. of Chemistry, University of Athens, Greece
2009-2013: BSc in Chemistry | Dep. of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
Research Focus: Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics, Advanced Electron Microscopy, Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy
Publication List: Google ScholarLink opens in a new window | email: evelina.liarou.1@warwick.ac.uk | Dep. of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Library Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
PDRA
Samantha Liu
Boyu Zhao
PhD
Muzhao Wang (Oct 2021 - )
Alexandros Magiakos (Oct 2021 - )
I am coming from Greece, where I obtained my BSc degree (top 10%) in Chemistry from the University of Athens, which included a dissertation thesis on characterization and biological evaluation of novel inorganic drugs (Zn, Cd, Cu). I graduated from the same university with a Master of Science (hons) in Bioinorganic Chemistry (2020). During my MSc studies under the supervision of Pr. Constantinos Methenitis, I worked on the synthesis and characterization of platinum group complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives and their biological evaluation. Specifically, I focused on the drugs' interaction studies with DNA and protein BSA, following their in vitro exploration of anticancer activity. I also spent 4 months in University of Warwick (Erasmus+ traineeship programme), under the supervision of Dr Paul Wilson, which allowed me to undertake a project on the development and characterization of arsenic/platinum-containing hydrogels as potential therapeutic agents.
Currently, I am a PhD student in Dr Wilson’s Group. You can see a brief view of my research projects below. For further information or questions don’t hesitate to contact me via email: Alexandros.Magiakos.1@warwick.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can contact my supervisor Dr Paul Wilson.
Main Project: Sustainable routes to N2 reduction and N-functionalisation of polyenes
The research project is part of the SCIENCE Prosperity Partnership between Lubrizol, University of Nottingham and the University of Warwick. Collectively, we aim to develop transformative methods and more sustainable platforms for the synthesis and production of functional molecules, such as surfactants and dispersants. Specifically, my project (PhD) is focused on delivering electrosynthetic and electro-/photocatalytic routes to N2-functionalisation and N-functionalisation of alkenes. We are currently scoping out and screening efficient methods for (photo)catalytic hydroamination of unactivated alkenes and working on translating these to electrosynthesis/catalysis using small molecule alkenes and PIB as model unsaturated compounds. Optimized batch reactions are subject to intensification through translation to a continuous flow process. In the longer-term, the overarching aim of the project is to explore the feasibility of directly capture of N2, through reduction to NH3 (bioinorganic electrosynthesis, catalysis) which is subsequently employed to functionalise target unsaturated (macro)molecules via the hydroamination methods currently under development.
Side Project: Development of platinum containing polymeric arsenicals for biomedical application
The overarching aim of this research project is to expand on polymeric arsenicals as a platform for functional nanomaterials by developing arsenoplatino-nanomaterials with a view to employing them to treat infectious (antimicrobial hydrogels) and non-communicable diseases (e.g. nanoparticles for cancer therapy). Designing polyarsenical block copolymer scaffolds that undergo simultaneous self-assembly and loading of metal complexes into supramolecular formulations (NPs, hydrogels), can achieve the goal of efficient drug delivery and enhanced therapeutic activity, by employing dual pharmacophore properties. Moreover, following the presence of heavy metals and/or metalloids attached to a polymer chain could also overcome existed limitations in electron microscopy and allow for high resolution imaging of the polymer behaviour. The materials are fully characterized and evaluated to determine size, shape, stability (NPs) and physical properties (gels) before undergoing biological evaluation (e.g. cell viability, anticancer/antimicrobial activity) in School of Life Sciences.
Bethanie Dean (2022 - )
Hello! I am a first year PhD student in the Wilson Group, focusing on the electrosynthesis of polymers at the nanoscale. You can find out more about myself and my research project here.
Owen Tooley (2022 - )
AS CDT: 2021-25
PhD Project: Screening and optimisation of active targeted polymeric systems for cancer therapy - In this project, we will screen and optimise the conditions of the conjugation reaction and purification of the active targeted polymeric materials as these factors directly impact the effectiveness and quality of these materials.
MSc Mini-Project 1, Supervisor Professor Jozef Lewandowski: Understanding the Behaviour of PROTACs in bio-relevant media - Using a mixture of different NMR experiments to observe the conformational behaviour of PROTACs in aqueous media that simulates the upper gastrointestinal tract.
MSc Mini-Project 2, Supervisors Dr Paul Wilson and Dr Daniel Lester: Screening and optimisation of active targeted nanomedicines for cancer therapy - Using a combination of techniques including GPC, HPLC, DLS, Zeta-Potential and NMR to synthesise, characterise and investigate processes to synthesise novel dendrimer conjugates.
MChem (Hons) Cardiff University 2021 with year in industry at AstraZeneca working on developing accelerated stability modelling for new modality compounds using RP-HPLC.
MChem project, supervised by Dr Niklaas Buurma, worked on synthesising and characterising different carrier prodrug model systems involving the use of NMR and Mass Spectrometry. Then, comparing and characterising their release kinetics using UV-Visible Spectroscopy and RP-HPLC.
Associate Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC)
Registered Scientist (RSci)
Patrick Beard (2023 - )
Hi, I'm a first year PhD student in the Wilson group studying the deposition and patterning of conductive materials by electrochemical methods.
I graduated from the University of Warwick in 2023, achieving a Master's in Chemistry (with Hons) as well as the Mark Roger's Memorial Prize for Outstanding Performance in Year 3. My MChem project, supervised by Professor Julie MacPherson, centred around the optimisation of 3D printed Rotating Ring-Disk Electrodes, which were then electrochemically characterised and functionalised for use in studying the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.
Main Project: Microscale patterning of PEDOT:PSS conductive polymers through Scanning Electrochemmical Cell Microscopy (SECCM).
My PhD project centres around the use of electrochemistry to pattern PEDOT:PSS gel particles. This can occur through one of two paths; the use of SECCM to deliver PEDOT:PSS solution to the face of a scarificial metal electrode in a 2D manner, or deposition of 3D metallic scaffolds onto which the polymers can then be subsequently deposited. This technique gives access to incredible presicion but also more freedom and control compared to typical lithograhic methods.
Side Project: Electrochemical deposition of a range of materials by modification of a macroscale 3D printer.
3D printing has become an increasingly present technology, allowing cheap and robust manufacturing of a range of materials accross the macoscale. However, traditional low-cost FDM printers are largely limited to purely thermoplastic polymer materials. Inspired by the SECCM technique, I intend to design a flow cell system that can be added to a typical 3D printer's extrusion head to give access to controlled electrochemical deposition. This will allow access to thermoset materials or even metal patterning. The key to this is that the flow cell system does not replace the conventional extrusion methods of the 3D printer, meaning designs composed of multiple materials should be printable throught the combination of the two techniques.
If you have any further questions about my research please feel free to contact me at patrick.beard@warwick.ac.uk or through my supervisor, Dr Paul Wilson.