Dr. Nigel Botting (Group Supervisor):
Nigel studied for both his undergraduate degree and his PhD at Imperial College, London. He then became a post-doctoral research fellow at Southampton University, where his work focused on biological chemistry. He moved to St Andrews in 1990 to become a Lecturer in Chemistry. His research interests can be found on his homepage.
His interests outside work include hillwalking and playing football (mainly 5-a-side). He is also an avid Chelsea supporter.
Dr. Nawaf Al-Maharik:
Nawaf is Finnish, and is one of the post-doctoral research fellows in our group. He obtained his MSc at the Technische Hochschule in Leuna-Merseburg, Germany, the title of his thesis being, Synthesis and Characterisation of coloured Diazoniumsalts. He studied for his PhD in the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland, and his thesis was entitled: Synthesis of Isoflavonoid - Derivatives for Immnoassay. During this time he was awarded the Licenciate of Philosophy in Organic Chemistry, from the same department.
He has since been a chemistry teacher in a secondary school, and has also been a post-doctoral research fellow at Uppsala University, Sweden. His research there included work on the Synthesis of Organochalcogenids (S, Se and Te).
As mentioned earlier he is currently doing post-doctoral research in our group and his current research involves:
•
The synthesis of complex flavonoids, 13C-labelled coumestans, and 13C-isoflavonoids
metabolites.
• Synthesis of natural complex flavonoids and halogenated isoflavonoids
required for biological screening.
• Development of methodology for the synthesis of 13C-labelled coumestans
and isoflavones metabolites.
• Development of methodology for preparation of isoflavones glycosides.
• Development of methodology for the enantioselective synthesis of lignans.
• Synthesis of trans stilbenes via Heck reaction.
Gemma Catton:
Gemma is from Dumfries in the south west of Scotland, she studied for her BSc here at St Andrews and has returned to undertake her PhD with us. She is working on a similar project to Kerry where the aim is to carry out thorough mechanistic studies on studies on QPRTase
Outside the lab her main interest is music, she enjoys listening to music, playing the drums and attempting to play the guitar.
Graham Smith:
Graham comes from Warkworth in Northumberland, he obtained his MChem from Durham University and has come here to undertake a PhD under the joint supervision of Nigel, Dr Paul Wright and industrial sponsor Avecia. The topic of his PhD is Immobilisation of enzymes in functionalised mesoporous solids.
His other interests involve playing chess, reading, cycling and computers.
Dr. Qingzhi Zhang:
Qing is from Xinxiang, Henan, in the Peoples Republic of China. She was awarded her first degree at Henan Normal University and then her masters from Dalian University of Technology. She then joined the staff at Henan Normal, teaching and doing research. She recently finished her doctorate with Professor Derek Woolins here at St Andrews and is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow in our group. Her work involves the synthesis of triply carbon-13 labelled isoflavones.
Out of work Qing enjoys reading, walking, riding and travelling.
Agnieszka Kulczynska :
Aga comes from Poland and completed MS engineer degree at the Technical University of Gdansk, before going to the University of San Francisco, where she obtained MS degree in analytical chemistry (electrochemistry). She has now started PhD work with Nigel Botting towards the synthesis of new N-hydroxyguanidines and hydroxamic acids as potential NO donors. Besides chemistry she is interested in photography, cinematography, music. She likes hiking and swimming.