Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation (JRCF) Summer Research Studentships 2024

In April 2024, I found out about the JRCF studentships through my parents (who read about the programme in a Goan newspaper). What attracted me to this opportunity was the sheer power and prestige of the University of Oxford. So, I applied and was delighted when I was shortlisted in the first round. 

I was amazed by the incredible depth of organic chemistry at Oxford and wished to continue to explore research in this field. I therefore expressed my interest to work with the Martin Smith Research Group for eight weeks.  Prof. Smith proposed that a suitable project for the studentship would be ‘Investigating Axial Chirality in Triaryl Oxonium Ions’ as it involved synthesis and analysis of novel compounds. Fortunately, I managed to secure the JRCF studentship to research this subject.

I joined a research theme that was being worked on by two DPhil students, Sam and Edvinas, who became my mentors in the magnificent Chemistry Research Laboratory. The plan was to synthesize triaryl oxonium ions using a five-step process with varying levels of steric bulk such that it would restrict rotation along the C-O bond. The next part would be to then analyse that bond using variable temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (VT-NMR) for signs of a signal split. I was expertly guided by Sam and Edvinas on both experimental set-up and on the general theory surrounding oxonium ions and axial chirality.

Over the course of eight weeks, I isolated five axially chiral triaryl oxonium ions, three of which I analysed using VT-NMR and for two of which I even managed to obtain a single crystal X-Ray structure, thanks to the Smith group’s resident X-ray crystallographer, Hafdis. 

Throughout this studentship, I learnt about the general chemistry surrounding Oxonium ions, how NMR helps in identifying restricted rotation around specific bonds and general laboratory safety procedures. 

Aside from the chemistry, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Worcester College which provided excellent catering and accommodation. On the weekends, I played cricket with a local club which helped me to relax throughout the summer.

To summarise, this experience was eye-opening in many respects, exposing me to world class research. I am grateful to Mary Anne and the JRC Foundation for their generosity and to Prof. Smith and his team for their mentorship through the summer. This opportunity has fuelled my passion to pursue a doctoral degree in organic and/or medicinal chemistry.

As I was concluding my second year of undergraduate chemistry, I really wanted to gain some research experience to see if I would enjoy it. So, when I received an email about the Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation summer studentships, I knew I had to apply. The opportunity was exciting as not only did it mean getting to experience scientific research at Oxford University, but it was also going to be focused on sustainability, an area in which I have been particularly interested. 

Specifically, I wanted to focus on enhancing the sustainability of organic synthesis methods, for example, cross-coupling reactions. Cross-coupling reactions are most commonly catalysed by precious metals such as palladium whose use is not sustainable due to low abundance and harmful environmental impact. Because of this, there has been interest in using iron, a highly abundant metal with low toxicity, as an alternative catalyst for these reactions. So, I decided to join the Neidig group, which has a major focus on iron catalysis. My goal was to research whether iron could be used to catalyse a three-component reductive cross-coupling reaction without the need for organometallic reagents. 

I was quite nervous when starting the research, however my mentor, Jos, quickly made the project seem less intimidating and provided enough guidance for me to be able to perform experiments independently. Everyone in the Neidig group was also extremely welcoming, which ensured the best research environment that allowed me to feel relaxed and confident in doing research. 

I definitely achieved my personal goals during the studentship as I learned so much about research and chemistry in general. Although the original three-component cross-coupling system that we set out to investigate did not yield the expected results, we ended up adapting the research and I learned about the trial-and-error nature of scientific research. Furthermore, with the help of my mentor, I was able to learn many skills that will certainly be useful to me later in my degree, from how to write research proposals to how to use the Schlenk line. 

The studentship exceeded my expectations, making the eight weeks of the project seem to pass by in the blink of an eye. Being provided room and board by Worcester College was amazing and meant that I was not only able to do research but also explore the city, Oxford’s colleges, and get to know the other students. Our cohort had grown quite close which provided a great support system. It was great to hang out, chat, or watch movies with them to unwind after work. 

Looking forward, this opportunity has made me more eager to consider doing research in the future and inspired me to switch from a BSc Chemistry course to the more research-oriented integrated masters programme. Lastly, huge thanks to the JRCF foundation and Mary Anne for making this amazing studentship a possibility.

From a young age, I have always tried my best to make a difference to my environment. As I have got older, these aspirations have slowly become more pronounced. I hope to make a difference to global warming and climate change via sustainable chemistry, which has fast become a passion of mine.  When I saw that the Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation was offering a studentship in sustainable chemistry research, I was excited to apply but thought there was very little chance of being successful. So, when I received the email saying I had been accepted for the position I was surprised and shocked. The lesson I learnt was to always apply, even if you think you won’t get it!

I had the pleasure of undertaking research with the Rabe Research Group, in which my role was to assist my mentor Arya in synthesising Luciferins. Luciferins are the molecules that, when added to Luciferase enzymes, exhibit bioluminescence as seen naturally in many fungi and insects, such as fireflies. The research group is hoping to characterise and analyse the Luciferin-Luciferase complexes to further understand the process of bioluminescence. Outside of the group’s aims, I had my own hopes of being able to eventually apply the groups’ findings to sustainable public lighting. Once fully characterised, there is a chance the DNA can be spliced into particular, easy-to-maintain plants which will then emit light for public lighting. This would not only reduce dependence on inefficient lighting systems, but as the plants photosynthesise by taking in carbon dioxide, result in reducing the level of a greenhouse gas as well. 

During the studentship, I faced many highs and lows with the research. I really enjoyed spending every day in a chemistry lab doing what I truly love, but when the research faced problems, I could be disheartened. My mentor Arya and group leader Patrick Rabe were incredibly supportive and helpful, always happy to offer advice and assistance. Eventually, when the problems in synthesis had been overcome, the feeling was unmatched! I was so happy to be able to share those successes with my group. 

As a country girl, I greatly appreciated being able to spend time in the beautiful grounds of Worcester College. I spent many evenings reading in front of the lake, admiring the wildlife. I am very grateful to Worcester College for providing us with accommodation and the wonderful meals we received 3 times a day. We were very well cared for throughout our time at Oxford, making it even more enjoyable. I am also grateful to my fellow JRCF students, with whom I became very close. Without our evening chats and weekly horror movies, I would have been lost! I couldn’t have asked for a better group with which to spend the two months.

I cannot thank the JRCF or Mary Anne Cordeiro enough for the incredible opportunity. It has made such a massive difference to me and my career trajectory. I hope the studentship continues for many years so that lots more students can experience the chance that I have been given. I learnt so many new skills and the studentship helped me realise that, after my Masters, I would love to pursue a PhD in Sustainable Chemistry.
 

Having enjoyed two years of undergraduate study, I was keen to get a taste of life as a PhD student. The JRCF Studentship in sustainable chemistry offered the chance to do this while working on an important problem in sustainability. I was very pleased to be accepted. 

As we develop sources of renewable energy, we need a way to store energy for when there is no sun or wind. With modern machine-learning methods, simulating photocatalytic processes used in energy storage with quantum-mechanical accuracy is becoming possible at a larger scale: Professor Volker Deringer and I agreed that this should be the subject of my research.

Our plan was to leverage transfer learning, a technique in which a model’s learnings from a particular dataset are used to improve performance on a different dataset. Initial models would be trained on DFT data from crystalline catalyst-adsorbent structures currently used in photocatalytic processes; subsequently, they would be fine-tuned and evaluated on structurally more complex materials. Although such materials are often dismissed as the product of failed solid-state syntheses, finding utility in them could replace the expensive crystalline rare metals currently used in photocatalytic processes. 

John Gardner, one of Volker’s DPhil students, mentored me during the studentship. When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed and set up on one of the group’s Linux machines with the required computing environment. During the first week, he guided my exploration of machine learning by providing reading materials and coding exercises. 

After completing the introductory exercises, I began by training and testing different potentials to find appropriate models and sets of hyperparameters. Meeting with Volker, I presented my data. Guided by our hypothesis of the potential of transfer learning and shaped by our findings, we decided to adapt the proposed project and investigate alchemical transfer learning. A subsequent meeting with Professor Ludmilla Steier, an experimental solid-state chemist, led us to focus on a specific material system. This collaboration proved to be the most enjoyable aspect of the project, opening new avenues for exploration. 

Progress certainly wasn’t linear: my code didn’t always work, and results were often unexpected. My main takeaway from this experience was learning to approach the inevitable challenges of research with a mindset and methodology that streamlined my workflow and yielded reproducible results. Overcoming these challenges was extremely rewarding, but doing so surrounded by inspirational people was even more so. 

We were generously provided with accommodation and catering in Worcester College. Sharing this experience with four other students was a pleasure: from late-night chats to early starts for a park run, we made the most of the summer in Oxford. 

Finally, I would like to thank Volker and John for having me in their lab this summer. As a visually impaired student, most chemistry research is off-limits, so I was pleased and surprised to find an area that is both interesting and accessible to me. I look forward to working in a similar area in my Part II year. I would like to extend my gratitude to Mary Anne and the Foundation for this brilliant opportunity.

 
In the third year of my university degree, I was introduced to biocatalysis. I was fascinated by how the field focuses on biological processes from the chemical perspective, therefore I pursued a summer project with the Campopiano Group at the University of Edinburgh. The experience allowed me to understand the fundamental processes involved in biocatalytic enzyme development. While in my fourth year of study, I developed an interest in the issue of depletion of precious metal resources (PMR)and how it can be addressed through the application of biocatalysis. When I learned about the opportunity to get involved in a sustainable chemistry focused project offered by the Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation (JRCF) I was very excited as it allowed me to work on the pressing issue of depleting PMRs by applying biocatalytic approaches that I was passionate about. I applied for the studentship hoping to work with Professor Kylie Vincent as I wanted to learn how biocatalysis can be approached from the inorganic perspective and, to my excitement, I was granted the opportunity. 

My original project focused on the investigation of selenocysteine substituted hydrogenase as a blueprint for catalytic systems offering an alternative to precious metals catalysis. However, as I joined the Vincent Group the project took on a new direction, looking at interactions between Hydrogenase-2 and its potential inhibitor. Since my project required proficiency in various techniques, I was assigned more than one mentor to ensure I learned the most from everyone given their respective expertise. Under the guidance of Kin Long Wong, I learned about electrochemical enzyme poising and the use of infrared spectroscopy on enzyme crystal samples, techniques which I applied in the initial investigation of my research focus. As my project moved forward, Dr Elizabeth Philips took upon the role of my mentor sharing her experiences in spectroelectrochemistry with the emphasis on electrochemical titration. 

This opportunity allowed me to better understand the field I one day hope to work in as well as my position in it as a future scientist. In the two months I had achieved my personal goal of widening my perspective on biocatalysis and how it can be approached, only furthering my love for the field as I learned there is still so much I don’t know and so much to discover. I am very grateful to Prof. Kylie Vincent and her group for welcoming me and allowing me to learn so much in the time I had with them.

I was very grateful to the JRCF and Worcester College for hosting me and the rest of the JRCF cohort this summer and for inviting me to experience the beauty of the city of Oxford. I had not only the opportunity to work on my research but also to create meaningful relationships with other passionate students in the field. I hope to follow my interest in biocatalysis further to offer alternatives to reactions relying on more efficient use of resources. My experience in Oxford reaffirmed my hope to pursue a PhD in the future.