Principal Investigator

Dr Silvia Díez-González 

Dr. Silvia Díez-González received her MSci in organic chemistry from the Universidad del País Vasco (Spain) and the Université Paris XI (France) in 2000 and her Ph.D on organosilicon chemistry from the Université Paris XI under the supervision of Dr Luis Blanco.

After two post-doctoral stays with Professors Steve Nolan and Feliu Maseras, Silvia first joined the Department of Chemistry at Imperial as part of the first promotion of Imperial College Junior Research Fellows, where she is currently a Senior Lecturer in Catalysis.

For more information, visit Silvia's website

Visiting researcher

Mohammad SOLEIMAN-BEIGI

Mohammad is a professor of organic chemistry at Ilam University (Iran). He joined the group as a visiting researcher in August 2022 and he is currently working on the valorarisation of triazoline derivatives through cycloaddition reactions.

Outside of the lab, Mohammad likes exploring London, guiding his students at Ilam University, cooking and running.

Postgraduate students

Chaleena PIMPASRI, 4th Year PhD                                                                                                                                                          

Chaleena is from Thailand, and she obtained her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Khon Kaen University and her master’s degree in organic chemistry from Mahidol University with a project on copper(I) mediated oxidative decarboxylative couplings. She started her PhD in October 2018, and her current research focuses on copper(I) complexes for the sustainable reduction of azides.

Outside of chemistry, Chaleena likes running, playing badminton, cooking, traveling and photography.   

Shuai YANG, 1st Year PhD  

Shuai is from China, and completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at University of Vermont and then a master degree in Chemistry at University of Leeds. During that time he completed a research project with professor Visuvanathar Sridharan on iridium-catalysed reductive 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of tertiary amides. Shuai started his PhD studies in June 2020 on a project focused on developing copper(I) catalysis.

Outside of chemistry, Shuai likes making cocktails, cooking, traveling and reading novels.

Raul PACHECO MUINO, 1st Year PhD 

Originally from Venezuela, Raul obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Queen’s University Belfast in 2019. After 2 years in industry working as a R&D chemist at MOF Technologies, he returned to education and obtained hisMaster’s Degree at the University of Liverpool, where he completed a research project on the electrochemical characterisation of a novel cathode material for magnesium batteries under the supervision of Dr Troy Manning. Raul started his PhD in October 2022 with funding from AstraZenec and his project focuses on the exploration of deep eutectic solvents for synthetic applications.

Outside of chemistry Raul enjoys travelling, learning languages, reading history, and cooking.

Tabassum MALIK, MRes in Green Chemistry

Tabassum joined Imperial in 2019 to study a BSc in Chemistry and has recently started a Master’s degree in Green Chemistry, Energy and the Environment. Her MRes project, jointly supervised by Professor Tom Welton, is focused on the activation and utilisation of CO₂ using imidazolium-based ionic liquids. Her BSc project was also on sustainable chemistry, in which she investigated suitable alternatives to traditional silicon-based reagents for the direct amidation of amines and carboxylic acids.

Outside of chemistry, Tabassum enjoys eating out, playing netball, learning languages and spending time with her friends and family.

Zhaolong LI, MRes in Catalysis 

Zhaolong completed his BSc degree in Sun Yat-sen University in China, and he is currently a MRes student in Catalysis. His project focuses on copper-containing MOF composite materials for catalytic applications. This is a collaboration with Dr Rob Davies.

Oyelusi OLAIFA, MSci student

Oyelusi was born and raised in London. He completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Queen Mary, University of London and he is now studying at Imperial college for an MRes in Nanomaterials. Oyelusi's project on materials forNOx abatement is co-survised by Dr Andreas Kafizas.

Undergraduate students

Ahmad YOUNIS, BSc student

Ahmad joined Imperial in 2020 to study a BSc in Chemistry and is now pursuing his final year project of using non-traditional, deep eutectic solvents in organic synthesis.

Outside of chemistry, Ahmad enjoys socialising with friends and family, gaming, cooking and travelling.