Experience
Download my two-page professional CV for research and employment enquiries.
Research experience
Synthetic Organic Chemistry Research
University of Cambridge · 2022–2026
- Designed and synthesised a 25+ compound substrate library comprising 15 exocyclic-methylene compounds and 10 diazirine scaffolds.
- Developed multi-step routes to substituted coumarins and carbene precursors, including diazo and tosylhydrazone derivatives.
- Planned analogue series, optimised reactions, purified products chromatographically and confirmed structures by NMR and HRMS.
- Applied synthetic libraries to mechanistic and catalytic questions, including preliminary carbene-transfer and cyclopropanation studies.
Artificial Metalloenzyme Research
PhD Researcher · University of Cambridge · 2022–2026 · Thesis submitted; viva pending
- Engineered cytochrome b562 variants as artificial-metalloenzyme scaffolds and developed recombinant expression and purification workflows.
- Designed and synthesised Ir(III) and Zn(II) metalloporphyrin cofactors, optimising challenging metalation and functionalisation steps.
- Established quantitative UV–visible and fluorescence binding assays across a four-porphyrin panel.
- Presented research in Kenya, Canada and Switzerland after securing £2,500 in competitive Royal Society of Chemistry funding.
Porphyrin & BODIPY Medicinal Chemistry Research
MSc Researcher · Rhodes University · 2021–2022
- Designed and synthesised 15+ porphyrin and BODIPY analogues using condensation, halogenation and quaternisation chemistry.
- Built structure–activity relationships through antimicrobial and anticancer evaluation.
- Completed characterisation using NMR, HPLC, UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, including singlet-oxygen quantum yields.
- Contributed to three peer-reviewed publications in porphyrin chemistry, catalysis and chemosensing.
Innovation & commercialisation experience
EnterpriseTECH
Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre · Sep–Oct 2024
- Researched and evaluated innovative technologies within a multidisciplinary team, identifying their technical strengths and potential routes to impact.
- Translated complex scientific ideas into persuasive funding-pitch narratives for non-specialist and commercially focused audiences.
- Developed concise video-marketing content to communicate technology value, strengthening commercial awareness, teamwork and stakeholder communication.
Global-health engagement
Invited Delegate · Science of Malaria Medicine Symposium
Medicines for Malaria Venture · Geneva · 7 October 2025
- Attended by invitation and engaged with current scientific and translational challenges in malaria and anti-infective drug discovery.
- Strengthened the connection between my experience in molecular design, medicinal chemistry and chemical biology and my long-term goal of contributing to malaria drug discovery.
- View the official MMV event page.
Technical capabilities
Synthesis
Multi-step organic and organometallic synthesis · Metalloporphyrins · Method development · Analogue libraries · Scaffold diversification
Protein & biocatalysis
Protein variant design · Recombinant expression and purification · Protein–cofactor assembly · Binding assays · Biocatalyst characterisation
Characterisation
¹H, ¹³C and 2D NMR · HPLC · HRMS · UV–Vis · Fluorescence · IR · Quantitative titration
Research practice
Experimental design · Troubleshooting · SOP development · Scientific writing · Data interpretation · Student supervision
Education
PhD in Chemistry
University of Cambridge
Fully funded by the Cambridge Trust. Thesis: Exploring Synthetic Porphyrin–Protein Conjugates as New Artificial Metalloenzymes. Thesis submitted August 2026; viva pending.
MSc in Chemistry · First Class
Rhodes University
Fully funded by the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
BSc Honours in Chemistry · First Class
Rhodes University
Best graduating Honours student and recipient of Dean’s Colours.
BSc in Chemical Biology
University of Zambia
Teaching & leadership
- Demonstrator and Supervisor, University of Cambridge: trained 20+ undergraduate students in laboratory technique, risk assessment and experimental troubleshooting; supervised six students in organic and physical chemistry.
- Non-Executive Board Member, Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund: review 10+ proposals annually and advise on research-funding priorities.
- Head of Corporate Relations, African Society of Cambridge University: raised £40,000, achieving 150% of target through new partnerships and a revised fundraising strategy.
Awards & professional recognition
- Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
- Best graduating BSc Honours student and Dean’s Colours
- Bronze Medal, South African Chemical Institute
- Second Prize, Three-Minute Thesis
- Royal Society of Chemistry travel and congress funding totalling £2,500