Email Ben
Ben hails from Stoke-on-Trent, which he describes as “near Alton Towers” to those fortunate to have not experienced it. Ben obtained his PhD in 2021 under the joint supervision of Profs. David Mills & Stephen Liddle investigating f-element tetrel complexes. Following this, Ben joined the Mehta group, where he developed his main group chemistry skills, exploring the catalytic applications of Zintl clusters. Missing the world of heavy metals, Ben decided to return to the f-elements and has decided to join the Goodwin group investigating the electronic structure and reactivity of low oxidation state f-element heterolide and arene complexes. Having previously worked well together during Ben's MChem project, Conrad and Ben look forward to some excellent results.
Outside the lab Ben is often found gaming, attempting to retain his abilities at playing Overwatch 2 as he ages. Unapologetically, Ben can name most Pokémon despite there now being over 1000 entries!
Email Cameron
Cameron was born and raised in Bolton, near Manchester, and previously completed his MChem in the Goodwin group researching low oxidation state lanthanide and actinide sandwich complexes. After a healthy trove of new complexes and an excellent final year result, he is now continuing his research as a PhD student in the group.
When he’s not in the lab Cameron can be found watching Manchester United play football, going to the pub with his friends, or binge-watching bad TV shows on Netflix.
Email Ross
Ross is originally from Bonnyrigg in the outskirts of Edinburgh. He did his MChem at the University of Aberdeen, with his final research project in Prague at the University of Chemistry and Technology synthesising photosensitive chiral dopants for liquid crystal mixtures. Ross is now doing his PhD investigating low oxidation state f-element complexes.
Outside the lab he can usually be found in the pub or binging the same 3 shows on Netflix. Occasionally he’ll venture into real hobbies like surfing or playing bass guitar.
Email Harry
Harry is originally from London. He did his undergraduate bachelors project for his MChem at The University of Manchester, with Prof. Eric Mcinnes & Dr Alice Bowen, investigating paragmagnetic vanadyl and copper complexes by EPR spectroscopy. Harry continues his MChem investigating f-element complexes with weakly donating bulky ligands.
In his free time, Harry enjoys travelling internationally and going to concerts (primarily Katy Perry and Taylor Swift concerts), as he is a massive fan of both of these pop artists. Also, as he is a green tag in taekwondo and has passed the A2 level in German, he enjoys practising these hobbies in his spare time. Harry enjoys a night out and the occasional drink. He can often be seen around the university wearing at least one purple item of clothing, proudly representing The University of Manchester.
Dan is originally from the village of Wylam in Northumberland. He did is undergraduate MChem degree at Newcastle University, undertaking his final year research project in 2020/2021 with Keith Izod investigating hybrid phosphine/phosphine-borane stabilised carbanions. Dan is now doing his PhD at the University of Manchester investigating low oxidation state f-element complexes.
In his free time, Dan enjoys playing cricket and football and is an avid fan of Newcastle United. He is also a big fan of board and video games as well as all things Star Wars. Dan is partial to a pint of real ale and enjoys discovering new local micropubs.
Cameron was a final year MChem student born and raised in sunny Manchester. Cameron undertook an NMR-based project in his third year and is excited to be back in the lab making exciting molecules with f-bock elements.
When he’s not in the lab, Cameron can be found at the pub playing pool badly with his friends and eating tacos with his Mexican housemate.
At the weekend, Cameron enjoys watching his beloved team, Manchester United, play at Old Trafford and hopes to see them lift the premier league trophy sometime in the near future, no matter how unrealistic that may be, and beating his housemates at video games.
Michaela came to Manchester from Prague, Czech Republic, to study an undergraduate chemistry degree. After completing several summer internships in organic chemistry (at UCT Prague and at the University of Geneva), she concluded that life just might be much more interesting without water and embarked on studying sensitive f-element complexes. Her final year MChem project took her to Conrad’s newly founded group.
Since the end of the periodic table is like “a minefield of ignorance”, it is not difficult to find a number of intriguing uncharacterised structures. Michaela set out to prepare and investigate new lanthanide and actinide phospholide complexes.
Good luck finding Michaela outside the lab, as she's pretty lost most of the time - either in the European wilderness or in books. She also likes to occasionally paint with watercolours and ink.
Sara comes from Córdoba, a city in the south of Spain and came to Manchester for her undergraduate studies and hopefully her Masters too. She enjoyed a summer placement where she stepped up from making ferrocene in year 2 labs to synthesizing uranium complexes and doing air-sensitive chemistry. After this experience, she is eager to learn all about f-block chemistry in year 3.
When not in labs or the library, she will probably be cooking, out with her friends or cleaning (she hates to admit it but she is a bit of a clean freak). She is always on the lookout for any sunlight as she really misses the clear skies and warm weather.
Francesco was born in Treviso (a small town near Venice) and moved to London in 2009. In the following years, he also lived in Istanbul and Dubai and hopes to continue travelling the world doing some good chemistry along the way. Francesco completed his MChem degree in Manchester, carrying out his final year project studying lanthanide covalency in the Mills group.
When not in the lab, you’re likely to find him making a mess in the kitchen, cooking food from around the world for friends and family. You might also find him running at the park in less-than-optimal weather conditions (it's Manchester!) or just relaxing with a good book and a cup of coffee.
Francesco undertook a short placement in the group after completing his MChem.