SYNTHESIS • CATALYSIS • MECHANISM
Group Leader
Mark Greenhalgh
Mark is originally from North Yorkshire, and completed his Undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield, including a final year project with Dr Simon Jones. During his Undergraduate, Mark spent an enjoyable year studying in Australia at the University of Wollongong. Mark moved to the University of Bristol in 2010 to join the Bristol Chemical Synthesis CDT, before starting a PhD with Dr Steve Thomas on the iron-catalysed hydrofunctionalisation of alkenes and alkynes. In September 2012, Mark moved with Steve to the University of Edinburgh to complete his PhD.
Mark then moved to the University of St Andrews to conduct postdoctoral work with Prof. Andrew Smith on the development and mechanistic understanding of organocatalytic enantioselective methodologies.
In April 2020 Mark moved to The University of Warwick as an Assistant Professor to start his independent research group and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2024.
PDRA
Aaron Campbell
I am originally from Northampton and obtained my MChem degree from Newcastle University in 2021. After a brief period performing large-scale synthesis at Onyx Scientific, I rejoined Newcastle University and completed my PhD under the supervision of Dr Roly Armstrong, working on the development of new catalytic methods for the asymmetric synthesis of atropisomeric amides and sulfonamides.
Recently, I joined the Greenhalgh group as a postdoctoral research fellow, where I will be exploring enantioselective chalcogen bonding catalysis.
In my free time I enjoy cryptic crosswords, spending time outdoors, and going to the gym.
PhD Students
Henry Stone (Final year Phd)
I am originally from Oxfordshire and I obtained my integrated MChem degree from the University of Warwick in 2022. During my degree I attempted to carry out a summer research project which was interrupted by the covid-19 pandemic.
I completed my masters Research project under the supervision of Dr Stefan Roesner and Prof. Mike Shipman on improving the synthesis of cyclic hydrazino acids. Currently, I am working on my PhD in the Greenhalgh group, on a project sponsored by GoldenKeys High-Tech Materials Co. Ltd.
In my free time, I enjoy reading and playing video and social deduction games.
Jason Westwood (Final year PhD)
Originally from Shropshire, I earned my BSc in Chemistry from the University of Warwick in 2022 and continued on with an MRes at the same university in 2023, where I had the chance to work with Mark. Currently, I'm pursuing my PhD in the same group, and my research is about developing chalcogen bonding catalysts.
Outside of my lab work, I like baking, cooking, and playing the piano and violin.
Fiona Gibson (Final year PhD)
I am originally from the South Lakes and graduated with an integrated Masters Degree from Lancaster University. I undertook my Masters Research in 2023 under Dr Michael Peach in computational and quantum chemistry. I am currently in the first year of my PhD looking at developing a deeper understanding of chalcogen bonding, in the context of catalysis. As part of the EUTOPIA scheme, I am co-superised by Mercedes Alonso and Frank De Proft at Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB), where I will spend the second year of my PhD utilising computational methods to aid in my research.
In my free time I enjoy playing the flute, reading, and playing netball.
Caitlin Williams (Final year PhD)
I am originally from rural Leicestershire and obtained my MChem degree in Chemistry from the University of Warwick. In 2022, I carried out a summer placement funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry under the supervision of Dr Mark Greenhalgh and Dr Matthew Jenner. During this time, I worked on the synthesis of diazirines for biological target identification and developed a passion for chemical biology. My Master’s research project similarly brought together these two disciplines as I looked at zinc transfer and metalloproteins under the supervision of Prof. Claudia Blindauer.
For my PhD, I have returned to the Jenner and Greenhalgh groups and am working on synthesising diazirine probes for the study of natural product biosynthesis and their mechanisms of action.
Outside of the lab I enjoy painting, gardening, and spending time in nature.
Vincent Lau (3rd year PhD)
My roots stems from the far east. Originally, from China but raised in Merseyside specifically the Wirral. I did my MChem at the University of Edinburgh and during my final year, I did my master in industry with Sunamp Ltd under the supervision Dr Gylen Odling, Dr Kate Fischer and Professor Colin Pulham regarding material and surface chemistry. Now my research involves the design, synthesis and application of solid supported chalcogen bonding catalysts, on a project sponsored by GoldenKeys High-Tech Materials Co. Ltd.
When I’m free, I enjoy meeting up with friends for a chat or occasionally basketball and golf nowadays. If none of these, it would be me chilling and sleeping.
Abbe Lowe (2nd year PhD)
I am originally from Berkshire and gained my BSc in Chemistry at the University of Warwick in 2023. I worked towards a MSc by Research as part of both the Greenhalgh and Jenner Groups and I am now doing a PhD in these groups, funded by the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP DTP). My project will combine protein biochemistry and chemical synthesis to explore domain communication and substrate scope in fungal hybrid polyketide synthases.
In my free time, I follow the Formula 1 season and enjoy long walks and socialising with friends.
Sukhdip Singh (1st year PhD)
I am originally from the north of Italy, but I was raised and pursued most my education in Leicestershire. In 2026, I obtained my MChem degree in Chemistry at the University of Leicester. During my final year, I undertook my master's project which was supervised by Dr. Fabrizio Ortu and worked on using alkali earth complexes as precursors for mechanochemical reductions.
My PhD is focussed on the investigation of chalcogen bond and hydrogen bond acceptor abilities of various anions. I am co-supervised by Mercedes Alonso and Frank De Proft at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels (VUB), where I will spend some time learning new computational methods which will contribute to my research.
Outside of labs, I enjoy reading classical literature, watching figure skating and playing video games with my friends .
Masters Students
Kacey Spooner (MChem)
I am originally from Cardiff and started my undergraduate degree at Warwick in 2023. As part of my degree, I recently undertook a research project in NTU, Singapore, where I focused on transition-metal-free reductive hydroamination of alkenes with Dr Phillip Grant. I am currently undertaking my MChem within the Greenhalgh group, where I will be developing my understanding of chalcogen bonding catalysts.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy socialising with friends, reading and going to the gym.
Izzy O'Brien (MChem)
I am originally from Hertfordshire and am undertaking an integrated MChem degree at the University of Warwick. During my third year, I completed an industrial placement at GSK as a synthetic chemist in the Discovery Chemistry department. I am currently completing my MChem project in the Greenhalgh and Jenner Groups under the supervision of Dr Mark Greenhalgh and Dr Matthew Jenner. My project focuses on synthesising diazirine probes.
Outside the lab I enjoy cooking, playing the piano, and reading