Fiona Hatton obtained her MChem degree in Medicinal Chemistry with Pharmacology from the University of Liverpool in 2010. She stayed at the University of Liverpool for her PhD (2010-2014) which focused on the preparation of highly branched dendritic polymers for biomedical applications. In 2014 she joined the Division of Coating Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm as a postdoctoral researcher. During this time, she worked primarily on cellulose modification with bio- and synthetic polymers. In 2016, she returned to the UK to work as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sheffield, preparing functional polymer colloids by polymerization-induced self-assembly.   

In 2018, Fiona became a Lecturer in Polymer Chemistry in the Department of Materials at Loughborough University. Her research interests include sustainable polymer chemistry, modification of biopolymers, block copolymer self-assembly and soft materials for biomedical applications.

Qualifications

• PhD Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, 2014
• MChem (1^st class) Medicinal Chemistry with Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, 2010

Outline of main research interests:

• Synthetic polymer chemistry
• Self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers
• In situ monitoring of polymer self-assembly
• Polymer composite materials utilising nanocellulose
• Sustainable polymer chemistry
• Polymerisation of monomers derived from renewable resources

Teaching responsibilities:

• Materials and Materials Processing
• Colloid Science and Engineering
• Advances in Biomaterials
• Supervision of research projects
• Personal tutor

Recent publications:

S. E. Woods, J. D. Tinkler, N. Bensabeh, M. Palà, S. J. Martin, I. Martin-Fabiani, G. Lligadas, F. L. Hatton,* “Temperature-Responsive Lactic Acid-Based Nanoparticles by RAFT-Mediated Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly in Water”, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2023, 11, 9979-9988.

R. R. Larder, F. L. Hatton,* “Enabling the Polymer Circular Economy: Innovations in Photoluminescent Labeling of Plastic Waste for Enhanced Sorting”, ACS Polym. Au 2023, 3, 182-201. Special Issue: ACS Polymers Au 2022 Rising Stars in Polymers.

G. T. Wilson, N. Clark, F. L. Hatton, R. Trimingham, E. Woolley, “Perpetual Plastic for Food to Go: A  Design-led Approach to Polymer Research”, Polym. Int. 2022, 71, 1370-1375.

M. Palà, S. E. Woods, F. L. Hatton,* G. Lligadas,* “RDRP (Meth)acrylic Homo and Block Polymers from Lignocellulosic Sugar Derivatives”, Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2022, 2200005.

L. Williams, F. L. Hatton, H. Willcock, E. Mele, “Electrospinning of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers for Controlled Drug Delivery: pH- and Temperature-Driven Release”, Biotechnology and Bioengineering 2022, 119, 1177-1188

For a full list of publications see Google Scholar page

External roles and appointments:

• Treasurer for the Colloid and Surface Chemistry Group (CSCG) of the SCI – part of the Joint Colloids Group
• Advisory Board Member for the RSC journal Polymer Chemistry
• Loughborough representative for the Discover Materials Outreach Group
• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
• Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (MIMM)
• Member of the EPSRC Peer Review College