People

Dr Tim Kench

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I joined the group as a PhD student in October 2017 and I am currently a postdoctoral research associate. My project aims at developing molecules that target different DNA and RNA topologies. As part of my project, I am developing novel platforms for the high-throughput synthesis and screening of the new compounds.

Dr. Aatikah Majid

I joined the group in 2019 as a PhD student focusing on 'Parallel synthesis and screening of optical probes for G-Quadruplex DNA'. I am currently a postdoctoral research associate focusing on small molecule optical probes for nucleic acids.

Dr. Rebecca Thrush

I joined the group in April 2024 as a postdoctoral research associate. My project is aimed at screening molecular rotors as tools for the study of liquid-liquid phase separation during the aberrant protein aggregation linked to neurodegeneration. I am co-supervised by Dr. Aprile (Chemistry) and Dr. Kuimova (Chemistry).

Dr. Jamie Gravell

I joined the group in September 2024 as a postdoctoral research associate in Optical Imaging, after a PhD using confocal microscopy to detect magnetic field effects on the photochemical reactions of biological and solid-state systems under the supervision of Prof. Christiane Timmel and Prof. Peter Hore. My project will focus on studying the aggregation and liquid-liquid phase separation of α-synuclein using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, under the co-supervision of Prof. Marina Kuimova and Dr. Francesco Aprile.

Molly Bartlett

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I joined the group in October 2020 as part of an MRes/PhD program from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Synthesis and Reaction Technology. My project aims to use machine learning and high-throughput synthesis for the development of Platinum(IV) salphen pro-drugs for cancer cell targeted G-quadruplex binding. My project is co-supervised by Prof Barahona (Mathematics).

Thomas Maher

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I joined the group in October 2021 as part of the MRes/PhD program from the Institute of Chemical Biology. My project aims at developing novel proximity-labeling methods for mapping the protein interactome of G4 DNA using photochemical processes. My project is co-supervised by Dr Di Antonio (Chemistry) and Prof Ed Tate (Chemistry).

Liberty Rockey

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I joined the group in October 2021 as part of an MRes/PhD program from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Synthesis and Reaction Technology. My project aims to develop novel receptors and functionalised materials for the removal of PFAS from the environment. My project is co-supervised by Prof. Dominik Weiss (Earth Sceinces and Engneering) and Puraffinity (who also co-sponsor the project).

Wilson Wu

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I joined the group in October 2021 as part of a MRes/PhD program from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Synthesis and Reaction Technology. My project aims at synthesising novel chemical receptors for anionic species (e.g. oxoanions) with the aid of machine learning. My project is co-supervised by Dr. Phil Miller (Chemistry) and Prof. Sophia Yaliraki (Chemistry).

Erin Lin

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I joined the group in January 2022 to carry out my MRes project which has now continued into a PhD. My research aims to use a novel immuno-PCR platform to study the aggregation of amyloid-beta peptides. I am co-supervised by Dr. Francesco Aprile.

Nicole Christou

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I joined in October 2022 as a PhD student as part of the Institute of Chemical Biology PhD program. My project focuses on the role of pathological post-translational modifications on the function and druggability of amyloid-beta oligomers in Alzheimer's disease at both structural and single-molecule levels. I am co-supervised by Dr. Francesco Aprile (Chemistry) and Dr. Liming Ying (Medicine).

Nicole Fitikides

I joined the group in October 2021 to carry out my MRes project and started my PhD in 2023. My research is focused on developing a new imaging tool for studying the liquid-liquid phase separation of α-synuclein and its role in Parkinson's disease. My project is co-supervised by Dr. Francesco Aprile and Prof. Marina Kuimova.

Arjen Olive

I joined the group in September 2024 for my final year MSci project. My project focuses on developing a clear visual indicator for arsenic removal resins in the field of water treatment, with a long term goal being to create a commercially viable device available worldwide.

Andrea Lázaro Gómez

I obtained a BSc in Chemistry at the University of València and in addition I conducted an Erasmus stay in 2020 at Imperial College London for 5 months. I continued my project on G4 probes as part of the Molecular Nanoscience and Nanotechnology MRes/PhD program at ICMol (València, Spain) under the supervision of Dr. Jorge González GarcÍa. I joined the Vilar group again in September 2024 as a visiting postgraduate student. My project involves synthesising fluorescent probes to visualise G-quadruplexes in live cells and the study of their properties through photophysical and computational methods.

Bronwyn Griffiths

I joined the group in 2023 as a MRes/PhD student on the Institute of Chemical Biology Centre for Doctoral Training program. My project aims to synthesise optical probes to be used with encoded aptamers for imaging RNA in live cells. My project is co-supervised by Prof. Marina Kuimova (Chemistry) and Prof. David Rueda (Medicine).

Xiaojian Qu

Before joining Imperial, I obtained my MRes at UCL, where I synthesised radiochemical precursors and reference compounds for tritium labelling and evaluated post-mortem brain cryosections to support the development of PET radiotracers for neuroimaging. I began my PhD in October 2023 in Prof. Eric Aboagye's group (Surgery and Cancer) and joined the Vilar Research Group in September 2024 as part of a collaboration. My project focuses on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel multispecific PET radiotracers to address cancer heterogeneity.