People

Marija was born in Preili, Latvia, in 1990. In 2014, she got an M.Sc. degree in engineering sciences from Riga Technical university (RTU). After her master’s thesis in the prof. A. Jirgenson’s group, she stayed for her PhD (2014-2018) to work on her favourite (previously) shape of organic molecules – triangles. The thesis was a collection of scientific publications focused on the amination of nonclassical cyclopropylmethyl cation, derivatization of the obtained products and regioselective protonolysis of cyclopropane with subsequent amination of the formed carbenium ion. In 2021, she received an award named after Edwin Vedejs for her PhD thesis. Apart from chemistry, she likes coffee, movies, sport and chunky cats.

Dario was born in Rome, Italy in 1996. In 2017 he obtained his BSc in biochemistry from Sapienza University of Rome under the supervision of Prof. Ingeborg Grgurina. In 2019 he obtained his MSc in organic chemistry from the same university under the supervision of Prof. Patrizia Gentili studying the synthesis and photostimulation of 2-(hydroxyimino)aldehydes through UV-LED sources. In January 2020 he moved to Nottingham to start a new experience as a PhD student in the group of Dr Mattia Silvi. In his spare time Dario enjoys doing sports such as swimming or sailing.

Luke Craggs

Luke was born in Nottingham, United Kingdom in 1997. After working as a laboratory technician for five years he studied Chemistry at Nottingham Trent University, acquiring his BSc in 2021 and MRes in 2022 working under Prof Andrey Antonchick developing reaction methodology in ring contractive synthesis and hypervalent iodine mediated transformations. Luke started his PhD in 2022 under Dr Silvi and has a particular interest in sustainable organic synthesis. In his spare time, Luke enjoys rock climbing and play games such as Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.

Filippo Ficarra (CASE co-funded Astra Zeneca)

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.

Matthew Pratley (coll. Prof. Mike George)

Matthew was born in Berkshire, United Kingdom in 1995. In 2019, he obtained is MChem at Keele University. His final year project was under the supervision of Dr Matthew O’Brien and looked at the stereoselective synthesis of 2,4,6-Tetrahydropyrans. After a brief period in industry, Matthew joined the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham. In October 2021 Matthew started his PhD under the joint supervision of Prof. Michael George, Dr Mattia Silvi and Prof. Ioan Nottingher. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys playing and coaching football, as well as running and drumming.

Joseph was born in Kent in 2001 and has been studying chemistry in Nottingham since 2019. Outside of the lab he enjoys reading, music, hiking and anything outdoors.