Members

Members | Publications | Opportunities

Prof. Laura Barter

Principle Investigator

I completed my PhD at Imperial College in the Biochemistry Department. It focused on a study of the structure function relationships within the Photosystem II reaction centre, using Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. I was then awarded a Royal Society University Fellowship which enabled me to set up my independent career at Imperial in the Chemistry Department. I moved focus from studying the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis to investigating the Calvin cycle, and its inefficiencies. I am particularly interested in developing novel chemical tools and technologies to enhance photosynthetic efficiency, and increase crop yield. This involves some exciting collaborations with industry partners, e.g. Syngenta.

Outside of my research, I love the outdoors – walking in the countryside (particularly climbing up mountains), and running too. I have two young children, who I adore, and who keep me busy when I am at home!! When I have time, I really enjoy going to the theatre too.

Dr Ainul Zulkepli

Postdoctoral Research Associate, The President’s Excellence Fund for Frontier Research 

I am a postdoctoral research associate in the Barter group and my current research at Imperial is focusing on exploring the potential application of biomimetic compounds as novel agro-chemicals to improve photosynthesis. I am also the project manager for AGRI-net and the Agri Futures Lab. I was born and raised in Malaysia where I did my undergraduate study in Biomedical Science. I moved to the UK in 2012 to do my PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Bristol where I studied the structural mechanistic of post-translational modification enzymes in polyketide biosynthesis.

Email: a.zulkepli@imperial.ac.uk

Dr Ryan Brown

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Research

“Enhancing mimetic efficiency towards increasing photosynthetic efficiency”.

Some species of plants have developed CO2 concentrating mechanisms to increase cellular CO2 levels and therefore increase the efficiency of photosynthesis. One such mechanism, based upon the catalytic conversion of bicarbonate salts into CO2 by carbonic anhydrases (CAs), has inspired this research. CA has one of the fastest known enzymatic catalytic activities, with a rate of CO2 hydration of ca. 106 molecules per second per enzyme. Earlier work from our group demonstrated that chemical mimetics formed of zinc(II) coordination compounds are able to capture and release CO2 with the largest rate constant of any small-molecule CA mimic reported (Rains et al, ACS Catal., 2019, 9, 1353).

Building upon this work, we are interested in increasing the bioavailability of the chemical mimetic through ligand modifications towards carrying out in vivo studies. In parallel we are also developing a range of different and novel transition metal coordination compounds as bioavailable chemical mimetics.

Personal

I completed my MChem degree at the University of Sussex with Prof. Geoff Cloke followed by a move to London where I completed my PhD at Imperial College London under the supervision of Prof. Mark Crimmin. I then carried out a short postdoc position with Dr David Pugh at King’s College London. After a short stint in teaching, I came back to the lab.

Outside of the lab I enjoy watching football (Good Ol’ Sussex By The Sea!), travelling, lifting things up and putting them back down, techno, gaming and engaging in hipster coffee culture. 

Sarah Chapman

3rd year PhD student (joint with Prof. Maxie Roessler),  ICB CDT programme, co-funded by Syngenta

I’m Sarah, from the flatlands of Norfolk, and I completed my chemistry undergraduate at the University of Manchester. In my final year simulated EPR spectra (specifically DEER) of multi-spin [3]- and [4]- rotaxanes to predict their structures in frozen solution (supervised by Prof. E. McInnes and Dr A. Bowen). Over the course of my Ph.D., I will be investigating the photodegradation of agrochemicals on plant leaf surfaces using EPR spectroscopy, with the aim of using this information to improve sustainability of agrochemicals. In my spare time, I like to play trumpet and piano, and read novels (when time permits)!

Zak Elliott

3rd year PhD student (joint with Professor Matthew J. Fuchter),  ICB CDT programme, co-funded by Syngenta

I am currently in the second PhD year of a 1+3 PhD program with the ICB CDT. My project is investigating the use of photoswitches (e.g. azobenzene) to gain insight into factors such as agrochemical permeability and transport, while developing light-based approaches for plant chemical biology. 

I previously completed a BSc in Chemistry at Queen Mary University of London, before an MRes in the department of Bioengineering at Imperial. In my spare time I like to go to the gym, read a good book, cook and watch a bit of football.

Sean Nwachukwu

3rd year PhD student (joint with Professor Nicholas Long and Dr. Rudiger Woscholski), ICB CDT programme, co-funded by Syngenta

My name is Sean Nwachukwu and I am a PhD student at the Institute of Chemical Biology EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training.  

My PhD project involves the development and testing of novel water-soluble biomimetics, with the aim of improving the efficiency of photosynthesis, thus improving crop yield without necessitating extra farming space. 

I’m from Hertfordshire and my family are originally from Nigeria (Igbo tribe). Previously I did an Integrated master’s degree in ‘Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry’ at the University of St Andrews. In my spare time, I look for literally any excuse to socialise, I like to travel, watch Formula 1 (Ferrari fan) & Football (Chelsea fan), and write poems and screenplays for films and TV shows.

Baiqiu Tang

2nd year PhD student, ICB CDT programme

Hello, I am Baiqiu Tang, and I am currently a first year PhD student affiliated to 1+3 PhD program at ICB CDT. My research project focuses on establishing a high-throughput screening platform for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to test routes to enahance photosynthesis and therefore biomass yield. 

I am from Shanghai, China. I completed my MSci in Chemistry at Imperial College. In my spare time, I enjoy watching documentaries and doing aerobic training. I love road cycling and have recently started running, with the hope of joining a triathlon.