Staff

For enquiries on applying for beamtime, or further information regarding an application for beamtime on I22, please contact Nick Terrill, Andy Smith or the User Office.

Sophie Ray - Supervised by Hamish Yeung and Andy Smith

Sophie’s project is to understand the self-assembly of metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles across multiple time and length scales. MOFs form hierarchical structures, assembling from the ångström scale—where metal nodes and organic linkers create molecular building units—to the micrometre scale, where nanoparticles organise into superstructures. Working across the I22 and I15-1 (XPDF total scattering) beamlines, Sophie combines complementary techniques to probe local, crystallographic, and macroscopic structure in tandem. Such multi-length-scale experiments are rarely performed due to the lack of integrated software for processing, analysing, and modelling data across different q ranges. A central aim of Sophie’s project is therefore to develop a systematic approach to multi-length-scale experiments, including integrated data analysis and modelling strategies. This work is fundamental to understanding the behaviour of hierarchical systems as a whole and will help advance self-assembly research within the scattering community.

Mark Newell - Steve Armes, Oleksandr Mykhaylyk, Peixun Li, Yao Chen and Nick Terrill

Marks project is to developm state-of-the-art block copolymer self-assembly systems, which will significantly advance material science. He is utilising the new USAXS (Ultra-Small Angle X-Ray Scattering) capabilities at I22, allowing for more precise structural analysis. Additionally, Mark will create new machine-learning algorithms to improve data interpretation and predictive modelling. He will also devise innovative syntheses of deuterated vinyl monomers, which are crucial for various applications. Finally, the project also includes cutting-edge Rheo/SAXS/SANS studies to gain deeper insights into the properties and behaviours of complex materials

Emily Arnold (PDRA USAXS) - Software Engineer at Diamond Light Source

Tim Snow (PDRA Data Analysis) - Principal Software Scientist at Diamond Light Source

Marc Malfois (Beamline Scientist) - Now Beamline Responsible for the NCD-SWEET Beamline at ALBA

Jennifer Hiller Bardsley (PDRA/Senior Support Scientist) - Now Global Head of Science, British Council

Sarah Rogers (PDRA/Senior Support Scientist) - Now ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Director at ISIS-STFC

Claire Pizzey (Senior Support Scientist) - Now Group Leader, Impact, Partnerships and Innovation at the Central Laser Facility (STFC)

Jonathan Rawle (PDRA) - Now a Beamline Scientist on I07 at Diamond

Paul Staniec (PDRA) - Now working at Culham, Oxfordshire  

Mostafa Soroor - University of Leeds (2026) - Microfluidics for Synchrotron to Unlock Structural Changes in Biomolecules. Postdoc in Leeds

Lathika Gopalan Dakshayani - University of Nottingham (2025) - Sustainable Future Foods: Mechano-Enzymstic Assembly of Complex Food Structures

Josh White - University of Southampton (2024) - ​Soft-templated 3D nanostructured semiconductors

Jonathan Guild - University of Sheffield (2024) Advanced online monitoring of particle synthesis using in-situ small-angle x-ray scattering. Postdoc in Sheffield

Tayyaba Rabnawaz - University of Surrey (2024) - Nanostructure surveys of natural and biomimetic dental tissues by 3D SAXS tensor tomography. Currently a postdoc at ESRF.

Lisa Allen - University College London (2024) - Understanding structure evolution in supported metal nanoparticles used in emission control; translating observations made on model catalysts to real world applications. Now working with Johnson Matthey.

Cate O'Brien, University of Sheffield (2021) developed millifluidic sample environments to study micro and macroscopic changes during polymer processing. Cate is currently working for Dolmite Microfluidics as a Microfluidic-based laboratory scientist.

Eleonore Mason, Univeristy of Bath (2019) - Nanomaterials for Membrane Protein Biology.

Andrew McCluskey, University of Bath (2019) - Delivered user-friendly software that can use coarse-grained modelling techniques to develop models for soft matter systems. Andrew is now a lecturer at the University of Bristol interested in using new mathematical modelling techniques to improve the analysis of chemical measurements.

Glen Smales, University College London (2018) - Hierarchically structured microporous materials from a variety of source materials. Glen is currently a Senior Scientist in TU Graz.

Sam Richardson, University of Reading (2016) - Hard And Soft Nanomaterial Films. Sam moved to Satavia as a Data Scientist.

Li Xi, Queen Mary University of London (2016) - Multiscale Structure and Mechanics of Bone in Glucocorticoid Induced Osteoporosis. Li is currently at  currently at Beijing Institute of Technology, China.

Gudrun Lotze, Reading University (2013) - HATSAXS - A Versatile High Throughput System for Solution SAXS. Gudrun worked at the ESRF as a PDRA on ID02 and is now at MAX IV in Lund

Angelo Karunaratne, Queen Mary University of London (2012) - Analysis of Alterations in Matrix Quality at Nanoscale in Metabolic Bone Diseases Using Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction. After working in the Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College as a PDRA Angelo is currently back in Sri Lanka at the University of Moratuwa

Nesrine Chakroun, Kings College University of London (2011) - Early Steps of Prion Protein Oligomerization by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering. After continuing her studies as a PDRA in the Department of Biochemical Engineering at University College London Nesrine has recently recently joined the UCL Department of Biochemical Engineering as a post-doc at the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Emergent Macromolecular Therapies.

Gemma Newby, Reading University (2010) - Rheo-SAS from Soft Materials. After working at the ESRF Gemma is currently an Application Scientist and Customer Service Director at Xenocs

Twilight Barnardo, Aberystwyth University (2010) - Time Resolved Anomalous Small Angle X-Ray Scattering of the Sol–Gel Process. 

Lois Davidson, University of Leeds (2007) - The Formation and Transformation of Schwertmannite: Kinetics and the Effects of Toxic Trace Contaminants. Lois is now the ESG Director at GuarantCo.