Following an MSci in Chemistry with Industrial Experience and a PhD in Biological Chemistry from the University of Bristol, I undertook postdoctoral positions at Cardiff University and Swansea University, before becoming Lecturer in NMR Spectroscopy in Cardiff University in 2012. I moved to Swansea as Senior Lecturer in Chemistry in 2016, to be part of the exciting new Department of Chemistry.
My main focus at present is the development of an innovative chemistry curriculum that best serves our students, combining subject knowledge with wider skills. I have a Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning, am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and see my role as supporting students’ learning rather than simply teaching.
My current research focuses on discovery and development of new antimicrobial agents, using either synthetic chemistry or natural products chemistry. This work uses a range of synthetic, computational, analytical, spectroscopic, biochemical, microbiological and genetic methods, as exemplified by this video: https://t.co/2uh8E8MfU1?amp=1.
Expressions of interest in my research from prospective PhD students are always welcome.
Current active collaborations include:
This module will meet the challenge of transition to Higher Education from Further Education. Students will be guided in the essential skills to successfully engage with Chemistry in Higher Education, building competence through guided study in Chemistry in group work, basic laboratory safety and practical skills, record keeping and writing of technical reports, peer tuition, note taking, using and giving feedback, mathematics, data analysis, information handling, and coding. The module will have a variety of formative assessment opportunities and summative assessments that include writing of technical reports, a presentation, a practical-based assessment, and a reflective account
Building on Structure and Bonding 1 (CH-123), this will extend the theoretical underpinning for atomic and molecular structure and will address more advanced examples from organic and inorganic chemistry as well as macroscopic systems. The content of this module will require knowledge developed in prior modules as well as independent reading outside scheduled sessions. The module will have a variety of formative assessment opportunities and summative assessments that include writing of technical reports, a presentation, quizzes, workshops, and an exam.
This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of the physical aspects of chemical reactions, both thermodynamic and kinetic. These and other previously-understood concepts will then be applied to the student of addition reactions, both organic and inorganic. This module will build on existing understanding and will employ mathematics taught in other modules (CH-122) to conceptualise some of the material taught in this module. The module will have a variety of formative assessment opportunities and summative assessments that include writing of technical reports, a presentation, homework, workshops, and an exam.
This module will continue the discussion of the fundamentals of the physical aspects of chemical reactions, both thermodynamic and kinetic. These and other previously-understood concepts will then be applied to the study of substitution and elimination and an introduction to redox reactions, both organic and inorganic. This module will build on existing understanding and will employ mathematics taught in other modules (CH-122) to conceptualise some of the material taught in this module. The module will have a variety of formative assessment opportunities and summative assessments that include writing of technical reports, a presentation, homework, workshops, and an exam.
This module will introduce students to the three broad employment areas for chemistry: research, teaching or industrial positions. The lecture portion will cover fundamental aspects of being a professional chemist including safety, report writing, project management, and teaching skills. Students will attend research seminars and workshops, industrial field trips, and supervise school pupils in the laboratory. Assessment will be by coursework and a written report.
This module will build on material taught across the entire first year, and develops knowledge and understanding in the area of organic chemistry. Students will gain deeper knowledge of stereochemistry and conformation in organic chemistry, and of reactivity and reaction mechanisms in areas such as carbonyl, carbanion, carbocation, radical, aromatic and heterocyclic chemistry. They will also be introduced to key concepts and strategies in synthetic organic chemistry and physical organic chemistry. By the end of the module students will be equipped with the core tools to design synthetic routes, and to predict and/or determine reaction mechanisms. The module will have a variety of formative assessment opportunities and summative assessments that include writing of technical reports, a presentation, homework, workshops, and an exam.
This module will introduce students to the sub-disciplines of biological and medicinal chemistry. It will build on core material taught in the first year and semester 1 of the second year. An introduction to primary and specialised metabolism will be given, demonstrating that biological reactions obey the same laws as synthetic organic chemistry. Enzymes will be introduced as the key catalysts within biological chemistry. Students will also be given an overview of key concepts and strategies in medicinal chemistry, including pharmacological considerations. By the end of the module students will be equipped with the core tools to understand and study bio-organic reactions, and will have an appreciation of medicinal chemistry. Material, techniques and skills covered in the course of this module will build on and therefore require understanding of all prior modules. The module will be assessed by coursework (a presentation, laboratory experiments, laboratory report and assignments) and by examination.
This course will cover theory and applications of qualitative and quantitative analytical chemistry, with particular emphasis on quantitative chemical analysis. The students will learn about various processes and measurements involved in a chemical analysis, and about statistical analyses of the data acquired during such experiments. The topics related to both classic (e.g., titrations) and modern analytical techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, surface analysis) will be covered. Material, techniques and skills covered in the course of this module will build on and therefore require understanding of all prior modules. The module will be assessed by coursework (a presentation, laboratory experiments, laboratory report and assignments) and by examination.
This last formal lab module for those on the M Chem course consists of "project practicals" which can last from 3 to 10 weeks. These are intended to lay the groundwork for the more extensive research project carried out in the final year. The practicals change from one year to the next based on the current research of the department. They may be synthetic, analytical or purely involve extensive data treatment.
3rd year projects are the opportunity to bring all you've learnt during your degree together and apply that knowledge to solve a problem. In Swansea these projects can be embedded in active research groups across the colleges of science, engineering or medicine, allowing you to build a network and experience in your chosen specialism within the chemical sciences. These projects are your opportunity to demonstrate to employers that you have a full understanding of your course and are able to direct your own studies, manage an independent research project and effectively communicate your findings. This selection suggests an interest in a project embedded within a research group in engineering, focusing on materials chemistry or chemical engineering
This module gives students the opportunity to explore options within Chemistry, giving opportunity to apply prior learning to advanced research topics and allowing students to pursue more specialised topics related to their research interests and aligned with the research areas represented within the Department. Study areas available will include advanced spectroscopic techniques, the application of instrumentation in chemistry, as well as more advanced synthetic pathways and a return to more integrated study of the traditional branches of organic/inorganic/physical chemistry. The module will also include a mandatory employability component. Classes will be supported with workshops which will help students gain a thorough understanding of the integrated nature of Chemistry at an advanced level. Where possible, topics will be taught using relevant examples from primary literature, encouraging students to evaluate and appraise a range of primary literature sources and locate appropriate new sources. The module is designed to be flexible to allow the content to vary with the research areas represented within the Department and wider university.
MChem projects are the defining feature of the integrated masters with a chance to contribute research work of potentially publishable standard to an active research group within the University. In Swansea these projects can be embedded in active research groups across the Faculty of Science and Engineering or the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, allowing you to build a network and experience in your chosen specialism within the chemical sciences. These projects are an excellent way of managing the transition on to your next destination after undergraduate study, whether that is a postgraduate research studentship or into employment. The skills developed in the MChem projects demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver all aspects of a 60 credit research project and on exit you will have demonstrated the academic equivalence and begun developing the other skills required for entry into professional development schemes leading to chartership. This selection suggests an interest in a project embedded within a research group in science, focusing on straight chemistry, or interacting and collaborating with another department such as bioscience, geography, physics, maths or computer science.
This module gives students the opportunity to explore options within Chemistry, giving opportunity to apply prior learning to advanced research topics and allowing students to pursue more specialised topics related to their research interests and aligned with the research areas represented within the Department. Study areas available will include advanced spectroscopic techniques, the application of instrumentation in chemistry, as well as more advanced synthetic pathways and a return to more integrated study of the traditional branches of organic/inorganic/physical chemistry. Classes will be supported with workshops which will help students gain a thorough understanding of the integrated nature of Chemistry at an advanced level. Where possible, topics will be taught using relevant examples from primary literature, encouraging students to evaluate and appraise a range of primary literature sources and locate appropriate new sources. The module is designed to be flexible to allow the content to vary with the research areas represented within the Department.
This module gives students the opportunity to explore options within Chemistry, giving opportunity to apply prior learning to advanced research topics and allowing students to pursue more specialised topics related to their research interests and aligned with the research areas represented within the Department. Study areas available will include advanced spectroscopic techniques, the application of instrumentation in chemistry, as well as more advanced synthetic pathways and a return to more integrated study of the traditional branches of organic/inorganic/physical chemistry. Classes will be supported with workshops which will help students gain a thorough understanding of the integrated nature of Chemistry at an advanced level. Where possible, topics will be taught using relevant examples from primary literature, encouraging students to evaluate and appraise a range of primary literature sources and locate appropriate new sources. The module is designed to be flexible to allow the content to vary with the research areas represented within the Department.
I am heavily involved in public engagement and outreach. I currently organize the Royal Society of Chemistry South Wales West Local Section’s highly successful Science and Energy demonstration series, run a Chemistry Carnival at science festivals, and coordinate Swansea University’s delivery of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (https://edu.rsc.org/enrichment/spectroscopy-in-a-suitcase) programme. I have also been involved in a wide range of other outreach events.
