My research connects molecular design with biological function. I combine synthesis, protein engineering and spectroscopy to build new chemical systems and understand why they behave as they do.
2022–2026PhD Chemistry · University of Cambridge
2021–2022MSc Chemistry · Rhodes University
2020BSc Honours Chemistry · Rhodes University

Artificial metalloenzymes

Synthetic porphyrin–protein conjugates

My PhD at the University of Cambridge explores engineered cytochrome b562 variants as scaffolds for synthetic metalloporphyrins. The work asks how a protein environment can be redesigned to give non-natural metal cofactors enzyme-like selectivity and function.

CofactorsIr(III), Zn(II) and Co(II) metalloporphyrins
Protein platformEngineered cytochrome b562 variants
MethodsUV–Vis, fluorescence, NMR, HPLC, HRMS and IR

My contributions include:

  • designing and synthesising synthetic metalloporphyrin cofactors;
  • optimising metalation and functionalisation reactions;
  • engineering and producing protein variants for selective cofactor binding;
  • establishing quantitative cofactor-binding assay workflows;
  • interpreting structure–function relationships across protein and porphyrin panels; and
  • investigating preliminary carbene-transfer chemistry, including cyclopropanation.

Synthetic & medicinal chemistry

Across my PhD and MSc research, I independently synthesised more than 40 compounds spanning metalloporphyrins, BODIPY dyes, exocyclic methylene substrates and diazirine scaffolds. I planned multi-step routes, purified products and completed structural and functional characterisation.

My MSc work generated a 15+ compound photoactive analogue series for antimicrobial and anticancer evaluation. Systematic biological testing identified halogenation and cationic charge as important determinants of activity, creating a complete structure–activity profile that led to peer-reviewed publication.

Analytical method development

I established new analytical workflows as research questions demanded them. These included UV–visible and fluorescence titrations for protein–cofactor binding, chromatography for purity assessment, NMR and HRMS for molecular characterisation, and singlet-oxygen quantum-yield measurements for photoactive compounds.

This experience has made me comfortable moving between routine, reproducible analysis and open-ended troubleshooting when a method or reaction does not behave as expected.

Future direction: global health

My long-term direction is medicinal chemistry and drug discovery for malaria and other infectious diseases. I am particularly interested in the full path from molecular hypothesis to useful therapeutic: target selection, compound design, structure–activity relationships, synthesis, biological evaluation and developability.

I want to apply rigorous chemistry to health challenges where scientific progress can translate into profound human impact.