People

Soumen was born in Kolkata, India in 1991. He obtained his M.Sc. from IIT Kanpur, India in 2016. He completed his PhD at IIT Ropar, India, in 2022, under the guidance of Dr. Indranil Chatterjee, where his research studies were focused on the generation of electron-deficient radicals via EDA and photoredox chemistry. Then, he joined as a Postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Vladimir Gevorgyan (2022-2023) at the University of Texas at Dallas, USA, where he researched visible-light-induced Pd-catalysis. The following year, he joined Jubilant Ingrevia Ltd., India (2023-2024) as a research scientist. In October 2024, he moved to Nottingham in the group of Dr. Mattia Silvi as a postdoctoral research associate to perform research in the field of photoredox catalysis. In his spare time, Soumen enjoys cooking and reading articles on astrology.

Filippo was born in Luxembourg city, Luxembourg in 1998. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Sussex in 2021. The following year he then went on to complete a MRes under the supervision of Professor Ross Denton at the University of Nottingham, investigating the mechanism of catalytic Wittig reactions. In October 2022 he began his PhD under Dr Mattia Silvi, his research is focused on the development of novel methods for late stage functionalisation of complex molecules with photoredox catalysis. Outside of the lab Filippo enjoys playing guitar, going climbing and travelling.

Adam Richardson

Adam was born in Peterborough, United Kingdom, in 1999. After completing his undergraduate studies in 2021, Adam joined the research group of Dr Michael James to complete his MChem degree at the University of York, studying novel Denitrative hydroxylation chemistry for the one-step synthesis of phenols. He was then employed as a Teaching Laboratory Facilitator at the University of York, demonstrating practical chemistry to undergraduate students prior to commencing his PhD in October 2023 at the University of Nottingham, under the guidance of Dr Mattia Silvi. Whilst driven to progress the field of sustainable photochemistry in the lab, in his downtime, Adam is an avid Jazz Pianist and enjoys weightlifting and playing videogames.

Tommaso Braghetti

Tommaso was born in Rome, Italy in 1999. He completed his BSc and MSc degrees in Chemistry at Sapienza University, under the guidance of Professor Osvaldo Lanzalunga. His MSc thesis focused on the development of new supramolecular catalysts for site-selective C-H oxidation. Inspired by diverse research paths in chemistry, particularly those emphasizing radical-based C-C bond construction, sustainable synthesis methods, and late-stage functionalization, he joined the research group led by Dr. Mattia Silvi at the University of Nottingham in October 2023. In his spare time Tommaso enjoys reading and hiking.

Louis Buck

Louis grew up in London/Essex and graduated with a master’s in chemistry from the University of Oxford in 2023. Louis conducted his master’s research under the supervision of Prof. Véronique Gouverneur where he worked on asymmetric organocatalytic nucleophilic fluorination. In April 2024, Louis commenced his doctoral studies at the University of Nottingham under the supervision of Dr. Mattia Silvi. In his spare time, Louis plays cricket and basketball and still thinks he might make it professional in both.

Theodore Smith (iCASE co-funded AstraZeneca)

Theo was born in Maidstone, United Kingdom in 2002. During his undergraduate MSci in Chemistry at the University of Nottingham he completed a year in Industry at AstraZeneca in Cambridge developing novel photochemical reactions to access benzene isosteres. Theo completed his master’s year under the supervision of Chris Hayes exploring metallocarbene chemistry. In October 2024, Theo joined the Silvi research group as part of a CASE funded position by AstraZeneca. In his free time he enjoys running, landscape photography and hiking and is a keen member of the UoN Rambling and Hiking Club.

Marta Santoni (Visiting PhD Student)

Marta was born in Rome, Italy in 2001. She graduated with a master’s in Chemistry from Sapienza University of Rome in 2024, under the supervision of Prof. Fabrizio Vetica. During her master’s thesis, she worked on a metal-free stereoselective α-alkylation of aldehydes using Carbon Dots as photocatalysts. In November 2024, Marta started her PhD under the supervision of Prof. Fabrizio Vetica, continuing her studies on the application of Carbon Dots in the field of photochemistry, as a more sustainable and recyclable catalytic system for photochemical reactions. In December 2025, she joined the group of Dr Mattia Silvi as a visiting PhD student.

Bella Bonev (MRes Student)

MBella grew up in Nottingham and graduated with a BA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge. Keen to further pursue organic chemistry, Bella joined the University of Nottingham as an MRes student under the supervision of Dr Mattia Silvi in December 2025. In her free time, Bella enjoys fencing, playing guitar and nature photography.

Sonny was born in London in 2002 and is currently enrolled in the integrated master’s programme at the University of Nottingham. Last year, he undertook an industrial placement year at an advanced materials company, specialising in printed electronics. In his spare time, Sonny enjoys playing football and golf.