Supervisor(s): 

Dr Edwin Yates and Dr Igor Barsukov

Prior to my PhD I undertook a BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Keele with an honours project studying the effect of cation binding to heparin and the effects on anticoagulation. This led me to pursue a research career, first studying for an MRes in Advanced Biological Sciences (Structural Biology) at the University of Liverpool, examining the effect of heparin sulphation pattern on interactions with Fibroblast Growth Factors, followed by employment as a Research Assistant researching a project in partnership with Unilever.

My research interests focus on the relationship between polysaccharide modifications and their physical characteristics, their interactions with proteins, cations and other molecules and their biological activity.

Understanding modification effects on the physical and chemical characteristics of polysaccharides: new and renewable biopolymers for home and personal care products 

My PhD CASE research project, in partnership with Unilever, focuses on the modification of polysaccharides that are used in home and personal care products. Polysaccharides have a range of functions including acting as emulsions, to prevent the separation of water-based and oil-based phases within a product. The rheological properties of polysaccharides also provide an opportunity to tailor the viscosity of a sample. This project will therefore aim to characterise the structures of the polysaccharide samples provided via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It will also aim to determine the effect that modifications have on interactions with proteins, surfactants and other molecules and potentially will also include studying polysaccharide-bacteria interactions.