Lydia originally from Preston, Lancashire joins the Kilpatrick research group as a post-doctoral research associate following completion of her PhD in sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham (2024), under the supervision of Prof. Deborah Kays and Prof. Liam Ball.

Lydia obtained her MSci from the University of Nottingham in 2018, which included a summer research project and 4th year masters research project in organic synthesis and drug discovery, both under the supervision of Dr Andrew Nortcliffe. During her summer research project, she contributed to the creation of a library of novel PI3K inhibitors using a thienopyrimidine scaffold for predictive modelling of PI3K potency and selectivity. Her masters project then looked at the development of an iodoetherification methodology to prepare sp3-rich tetrahydropyran scaffolds from amino acids for drug discovery.

Following her undergraduate degree, Lydia remained at Nottingham for her PhD transitioning to inorganic chemistry working within the Kays group on the development of Magnesium complexes for heterofunctionalisation catalysis of unsaturated substrates.

Morgan is a local, having been born and raised in Leicester, who graduated from Cardiff University with an integrated Masters in Chemistry (1st class honours). She completed her Masters research project under the supervision of Dr Benjamin Ward, focusing on the ring-opening copolymerisation of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides using Group IV metallocenes as catalysts.

She then worked as an Engineer in the Civil Service for two years before joining the Kilpatrick group in September 2024 as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate funded by InnovateUK, working on novel debondable adhesives, in conjunction with local company Structural Adhesives Ltd.

In her spare time, Morgan enjoys reading crime novels, watching various sports but particularly rugby, and travelling (mostly so she can try out all new cuisines).

Sarah originally hails from New York, USA. She completed her MChem at the University of St Andrews in 2020, with her Masters research focusing on the selective synthesis of calcite nanoparticles under the supervision of Prof. Wuzong Zhou. After graduation, she returned to the US to do a year in industry. Sarah joined the Kilpatrick group in September 2021 to work on the synthesis of dinucleating ligands and explore their uses in bimetallic catalysis. In her free time, Sarah is an avid musician - she plays the bagpipes and whistles, as well as the French Horn. She is also a keen runner, currently trying her hand at half marathons.

Jamie is originally from London. He studied his chemistry MSci at the University of Nottingham, completing his final year project with Prof. Simon Woodward on the synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Tetrathiotetracenes and their iodine adducts. He graduated in July 2020 and, after a year away from academia, joined the Kilpatrick group in September 2021 working on the synthesis of first-row transition metal complexes for the aim of CO2 reduction and small molecule activation. Outside the lab Jamie is a keen runner and climber. He also has a passion for languages and spending time with his two cats. Another pass-time he enjoys is playing the guitar and drums.

Hannah is originally from North Kent and completed her MChem at the University of Southampton in 2020. Her Masters research with Prof. Gill Reid and Dr Ruomeng Huang involved the synthesis of precursors for the chemical vapour deposition of thermoelectric materials with improved sustainability. She then worked for two years as an engineer in the medical device industry, before joining the Kilpatrick group in September 2022 where she will work on the synthesis of bio-inspired complexes for small molecule activation. When not in the lab, Hannah enjoys doing anything crafty - this year she has taken up wire art. She also enjoys climbing and taking her family’s puppy for walks.

Upeka, Originally from Sri Lanka, graduated from the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon and holds a postgraduate diploma in Polymer Science and Technology from University of Sri Jayewardenepura Sri Lanka. With industrial experience as a research and development chemist in the paint and coatings industry. His MSc research in collaboration with the Rodriguez-Macia lab focused on carbon dioxide reduction catalysts in natural protein scaffolds for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, obtaining a Distinction in his MSc degreee. Outside academia, he enjoys hiking, is a passionate cricketer and fan, and has a deep love for nature.

Rumeza joined the group in October 2023 for a 4th year MChem project working on ligand design and titanium catalysis, and graduated in July 2024. When not in the lab Rumeza enjoys playing badminton, and speaks multiple foreign languages (Hindi, Gujarati, Kutchi and Arabic).

Harvey joined the group for a research internship in Summer 2023 working on synthetic hydrogenase cofactors in collaboration with Dr Patricia Rodriguez Macia. In October 2023 Harvey began an MChem project on magnesium catalysis co-supervised by Dr Fabrizio Ortu, and graduated in July 2024, winning the prestigious Celltech Prize. Harvey is a useful guy in a pub quiz, with a hidden talent that he knows all of the capitals of the world from memory including the US states, landmarks, flags etc. In his spare time he enjoys gaming, gymming, and watching sport.

Local lad Kian graduated from the University of Leicester with a BSc in chemistry (1st class honours) in 2022. His BSc included a research project with Drs Gregory Solan and Fabrizio Ortu on transition metal complexes with bis(imino)pyridine ligands. Kian carried out research for an Industrial MPhil supervised by Prof. Andrew Abbott and Dr Sandy Kilpatrick, funded by European Regional Development Fund, and is currently writing up. His research is on recyclable debondable adhesives in partnership with Structural Adhesives, Ltd. In his free time, Kian enjoys gaming, reading, and cooking.

Grace joined the group in 2022 for a summer research project after being awarded an Undergraduate Research Bursary from the RSC. Grace then stayed on for an MChem project in the group, working on the development of dinucleating ligands for multimetallic complexes, for which she was awarded the School of Chemistry’s final year practical project prize. Grace graduated with 1st Class honours in June 2023 and is now a Supply Management Trainee at AB InBev.

Olympia worked the group 2022-23 for a 4th year MChem project working on titanium complexes for anti-cancer properties in collaboration with Dr Kogularamanan (Rama) Suntharalingam. Olympia completed her 3rd year extended project with Dr Alison Stuart, preparing hypervalent iodine (III) reagents and investigating their applications as chlorinating reagents. In 2023 Olympia graduated with 1st Class Honours from the University of Leicester and began a PhD studentship at Queen Mary University of London with Dr Oriol Planas.

Jayna is originally from Birmingham and completed her MChem studies at the University of Leicester, graduating in 2022 with 1st Class honours. In the Kilpatrick group, Jayna investigated the synthesis of transition metal complexes with [S,N]-hybrid ligands and applications in catalysis. Jayna enjoys spending her free time oil painting and as a self-employed henna artist. Jayna is moving to UCL for PhD studies with Profs Claire Carmalt and Ivan Parkin, with aspirations of perusing a research career in catalysis whilst finding the time to travel the world LIVE LAUGH LOVE!

Kay completed his Bachelors degree at the Humboldt University of Berlin in 2020, with a Bachelors thesis in the group of Prof. Dr Christian Limberg. Kay is now studying towards a Masters degree in Berlin, and came to Leicester for an Erasmus project October 2021–January 2022. Kay's project in AK Kilpatrick was focused on the synthesis of bimetallic magnesium complexes with macrocyclic ligands and their applications in homogeneous catalysis. Kay's interests outside of chemistry include badminton, playing the piano, and comparing the merits of English and German beer.

Lucy completed her MChem studies at the University of Leicester in 2020 including a placement year at the University of Buffalo, USA, and a final-year project in the Kilpatrick group, working on the synthesis of first row transition metal complexes with [S,N]-hybrid ligands. Lucy is now studying towards a PhD at the University of Durham in the group of Prof. Gareth Williams.