Background: 

Bethany obtained her MSci degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Nottingham in 2020, specialising in synthetic chemistry and mathematics. Her final year research project investigated the self-assembly of block copolymers synthesised in supercritical CO2. She stayed at Nottingham to complete her PhD, focusing on the synthesis and characterisation of novel polyimides for applications in additive manufacturing. While at Nottingham, she led workshops on “Maths for Chemists” to tutor first year Natural Scientists and demonstrated in the organic chemistry labs, teaching practical laboratory skills to undergraduate students.

After her PhD, she completed a short research project developing both enzymatic and chemical routes for sustainable monomer synthesis, utilising waste from the floral industry. In 2024, Bethany joined Loughborough University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Materials. Her current research involves the synthesis of novel block copolymers derived from renewable resources, with a particular interest in polysaccharides and plant oils.

Qualifications:

• MSci in Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Mathematics), University of Nottingham 2020
• PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Nottingham, 2025

Outline of main research interests:

• Synthetic polymer chemistry
• Bio-based monomer synthesis
• Functionalisation of polysaccharides

Current administrative responsibilities:

• Research Associate Representative: Research & Innovation committee (AACME)

1. Cuzzucoli Crucitti, A. Ilchev, J. C. Moore, H. R. Fowler, J.-F. Dubern, O. Sanni, X. Xue, B. K. Husband, A. A. Dundas, S. Smith, J. L. Wildman, V. Taresco, P. Williams, M. R. Alexander, S. M. Howdle, R. D. Wildman, R. A. Stockman, and D. J. Irvine, “Predictive Molecular Design and Structure–Property Validation of Novel Terpene-Based, Sustainably Sourced Bacterial Biofilm-Resistant Materials” Biomacromolecules,2023, 24, 576-591
2. R. R. Larder, T. M. Bennett, L. S. Blankenship, J. A. Fernandes, B. K. Husband, R. L. Atkinson, M. J. Derry, D. T. W. Toolan, H. A. Centurion, P. D. Topham, R. V. Gonçalves, V. Taresco and S. M. Howdle, “Porous hollow TiO₂ microparticles for photocatalysis: exploiting novel ABC triblock terpolymer templates synthesised in supercritical CO₂”, Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 2904-2913

External collaborators: 

• Ghent University, Belgium
• Cargill, The Netherlands

External roles and appointments:

• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry