Research interests
Research-at-a-glance:
-Accelerating materials discovery
-Drug delivery & Biotechnology
-Immobilized enzymes & Antimicrobial resistance
-Net-Zero & Biodegradable polymers
Our main research activities are centered on developing and accelerating new materials discovery through synthetic chemistry while demonstrating a keen interest in hybrid polymeric materials and digital and automation chemistry. Our research projects increasingly span beyond the traditional boundaries within chemistry (i.e., Inorganic, Organic, and Physical) and bridge neighbouring disciplines such as Pharmacy, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, and Physics. Our primary focus remains on applications in biomedical science, clean energy production, sustainability improvement, and environmental remediation. Our current projects are the following:
[1] Accelerating new materials discovery using self-driving labs (SDLs) that integrate machine learning, lab automation, and robotics.
[2] Tackling anti-microbial resistance, biofilm, and infectious diseases in healthcare by using new approaches to drug discovery, such as AI and novel compounds.
[3] Promoting sustainability by exploring green biodegradable polymer, nano/microplastics and bio-upcycle plastic as alternatives to traditional plastics.
[4] Advancing energy technologies through developing new materials for optoelectronics and solar panels and improving fluid completion technologies for the oil and gas industry.
Postgraduate supervision
Join us: Apply to carry out research in the AME group.
Our main research activities focus on developing and accelerating new materials discovery through synthetic chemistry, particularly on applications in biomedical science, clean energy production, sustainability improvement, and environmental remediation. But we also have a strong interest in a variety of research areas:
[A] Accelerating Materials Discovery
-Self-driving labs (SDLs)
-Intelligent ChemBots
-Lab-on-a-chip and Microfluidic reactors
-High-throughput and lab automation
[B] Materials Chemistry
-Nano-(Bio)materials
-Smart-functional materials
-Supramolecular Chemistry
-Porous materials
[C] Biomaterials Science
-Infection diseases (prevention, diagnosis, and treatment)
-Anti-Microbial-Resistance
-Bacterial biofilm
-Wound healing acceleration
[D] Biomedical Science
-Drug delivery
-Biotechnology
-Immobilized enzymes
-Medical devices
-Regenerative medicines
[E] Sustainability and Environmental Remediation
-Combination and integration catalysis
-CO2 capture and utilization
-New Biodegradable plastics
-Plastic depolymerization and upcycle
-Wastewater treatment
All members of our group are trained in a wide range of chemistry and techniques. For further information, please contact Alaa directly via email.
We consistently advertise funded vacancies for PhD scholarships and postdoctoral research fellowships in the AME group. We also welcome PhD students and postdoctoral scientists with personally funded (self-funded) scholarships and fellowships. If you are interested in applying for funding your research through a scholarship or fellowship, please get in touch with Alaa via email with your CV and cover letter to discuss your options.
Opportunities: International Postgraduate Research Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships Scheme
- Chevening Scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Scholarships
- China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarships
- Research Council Scholarships (EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC,….)
- Wellcome Trust Scholarships
- Marshall Scholarships
- Charles Wallace Trust Scholarships
- Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards
- Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA PhD Funding)