POST-DOCS
DR AYAN DASGUPTA
Small Rings Methodology
I have done my PhD at IIT Madras, India with a national scholarship, supervised by Prof. S. Sankararaman. I had an opportunity to work with Prof H. Hopf (TU-Braunschweig) as an "Indigo Exchange Fellow" and I did an internship at BASF Ludwigshafen in the "Crop Protection Section". My first postdoc with Prof. T. Gulder at the TU-Munich, Germany, focused on the stereoselective synthesis of heterocyclic compounds using Lewis acid and hypervalent iodine as the catalyst. Next, I moved to Cardiff University and explored the utility of borane-based catalysts in organic synthesis, jointly supervised by Dr. E. Richards and Prof. R. Melen. At present, I am working as a PDRA with Prof E. Anderson’s research group and focusing on the C‒H functionalisation of bicyclo pentane.
DR PEILIN TIAN
Total Synthesis
I was born and raised in Shaanxi, China, and completed my PhD in 2023 at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology under the supervision of Prof. Rongbiao Tong, where I worked on the total syntheses of polyketides and steroids. In addition, I am interested in green chemistry and have successfully developed a new mild, safe, and green oxidative Suzuki coupling in water using hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant. I have now joined Prof. E. Anderson's group as a PDRA focusing on thiophene S,S-dioxides.
DR SUBRATA BHATTACHARJEE
Small Rings Methodology
I am from Tripura, a small state in northeast India. I completed my M.Sc. in 2016 from Tripura University. I then moved to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, for my doctoral studies under the supervision of Prof. A. T. Biju, where I worked on developing new synthetic methodologies utilizing benzyne intermediates. I did my first postdoc with Prof. Abhishek Chatterjee at Boston College, focusing on the bioconjugation of proteins containing unnatural amino acids. In 2024, I joined Prof. E. Anderson's research group with a Royal Society Newton International Fellowship. My research focuses on small ring chemistry with detailed mechanistic studies.
DR VIKTOR CAMARA SARAIVA
Small Rings Methodology
I am from Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. I completed my PhD in 2022 at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, under the supervision of Prof. Marco Antonio Ceschi, where I focused on the synthesis of inhibitors for cholinesterase enzymes. Following my doctoral studies, I moved to São Carlos, SP, to begin a postdoctoral position at the University of São Paulo, working with Prof. Antonio Carlos Bender Burtoloso. During this time, I investigated the reactivity of sulfoxonium ylides with epoxides and carbocations. To further expand my research in sulfur ylide chemistry, I have recently joined Ed Anderson’s group with a FAPESP fellowship, where I am exploring the reactivity of sulfur ylides with strained rings.
DR ADRIAN LOPEZ FRANCES
Small Rings Methodology
I was born in Arnedo, a charming small town in the wine region of La Rioja (Spain). I completed my PhD in 2024 at the University of the Basque Country under the supervision of Prof. Javier Vicario, working on the synthesis, DFT mechanistic studies, and biological evaluation of amino acid derivatives obtained through multicomponent reactions. During my PhD, I spent six months in Prof. Ed Anderson´s group working on the α-amino bicycloalkylation of propellanes. After completing my PhD, I joined Aix-Marseille Université as PDRA with the CNRS, focusing on atroposelective methodologies under the guidance of Prof. Thierry Constantieux. In 2025, I rejoined Ed Anderson group as Basque Government Postdoctoral Fellow, where my current research focuses on radical-mediated multicomponent reactions involving propellanes as counterparts. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends, hiking, and especially, food tasting.
DR VALERIIA HUTSKALOVA
Small Rings Methodology
I was born in Odesa (Ukraine) and completed my BSc in Chemistry from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 2019. My main research project, supervised by Dr. P. K. Mykhailiuk, was focused on Pd-catalyzed directed CH-(hetero)arylation of cyclic α-amino acids. During the bachelor studies, I worked as a synthetic chemist and later as an assistant project manager at Enamine Ltd. For my Master studies, I joined the Sparr group at the University of Basel, Switzerland, as an Alfred Werner Scholar to develop new synthetic methods for the preparation and application of acridinium photocatalysts. In 2020, I started the PhD with a focus on the development of novel photoredox- and transition metal-catalyzed (atroposelective) synthetic methods, including aromatic ring-opening metathesis. Currently, I am a SNSF Postdoctoral Fellow in E. Anderson's group, with ongoing research centered on novel (hetero)propellanes.
DPHIL STUDENTS
YASMINE BIDDICK
4th Year (Antiparasitic Natural Products )
I am from the seaside town of Perranporth in sunny Cornwall. I completed my Master's Degree at the University of Birmingham and undertook two projects under the supervision of Dr. Liam Cox. One smaller project involved the optimisation of the Petasis reaction to improve the synthesis of amino-pyrazole urea compounds, for biological testing against visceral Leishmaniasis, in contribution to the Open Synthesis Network's Drug for Neglected Diseases Initiative. The second project entailed the assembly and manipulation of a spirocyclic scaffold, and compound library enumeration for drug discovery. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, arguing about the correct way to dress a scone, attempting to finish reading Leo Tolstoy's 'War and Peace', and going to the pub.
PRIYANSH GUJARATI
4th Year (Total Synthesis)
I come from Surat, India and I completed my undergraduate studies at Towson University, USA. While at Towson I worked on Super-Resolution Imagining of Soft Matter under the supervision of Dr. Tran-Ba and total synthesis alkaloid natural products under the supervision of Dr. Keith Reber. Currently, I am doing my DPhil in Prof. E. Anderson's Group on total synthesis of polyketide natural products. Outside the lab I enjoy taking part in traditional Indian dance festivals (garba) and kite flying.
ROBERT BROOKS
4th year (Total Synthesis)
Kia ora! I come from the small town of Te Kūiti, in the middle of the mighty King Country, New Zealand. I am the inaugural Sir Robert Mahuta memorial scholar for Doctoral Studies at the University of Oxford, where I am a member of Jesus College, studying towards a DPhil in the Ed Anderson group. I am currently working on the total synthesis of a family of natural products.
I completed my BSc and MSc at the University of Waikato and have spent time working in the New Zealand Government across a range of research and policy roles, and have additionally been involved in researching the overlap of science and Mātauranga (Traditional Māori Knowledge), as well as indigenous IP development.
Outside of the lab I enjoy playing sport, cooking, meeting new people and sampling the fine array of local pubs.
REBECCA REVIE
3rd Year (Small Rings Methodology)
I am from a town called Ely, near Cambridge and I completed my MSci degree at the University of Cambridge. For my fourth year research project, I worked on peptide drug conjugates under the supervision of Prof. David Spring. I am currently doing my DPhil in Prof. E. Anderson’s group, focusing on bicycloheptane methodology. Outside the lab, I enjoy climbing and playing the flute.
JULIA RAGUS
3rd Year (Small Rings Methodology)
I grew up in Warsaw, the capital city of Poland. My journey with the Anderson group started during the final year of my MChem degree (part II), where I was exploring the synthesis and reactivity of carbazole ynamine ynamides. In 2022, I graduated with First Class honours in Chemistry from the University of Oxford, and shortly after, I rejoined the University of Oxford as an SBM CDT DPhil student. In January 2023, I began working in the Gouverneur group on novel carbonyl protecting groups as a part of the SBM CDT DPhil course. In May 2023, I started my second rotation project in the Willis group, working on novel routes to sulfonamides. After gaining experience from those two rotations, I decided to come back to the Anderson research group, where my DPhil project is focused on novel naphthalene bioisosteres. In my free time, I enjoy working out at the gym, cooking and playing logic games.
NANDINI GUZMAN
2nd Year (Total Synthesis)
I was born in Texas, USA, but grew up in Reading and completed my MChem degree at the University of Oxford, graduating in 2023. During my final year, I worked under the supervision of Prof. Darren Dixon on a total synthesis project. I have since joined the Anderson group as part of the SBM CDT; my research is focused on the synthesis of complex bioactive indole alkaloids. Outside the lab I enjoy cooking and spending time with friends.
KAILONG LI
1st Year (Small Rings Methodology)
I grew up in Henan, China, and earned my bachelor's degree from Nankai University in 2022. I then pursued a master's degree at Imperial College London, where I worked under the supervision of Prof. Alan Spivey on developing novel PROTACs for prostate cancer. Currently, I am doing my DPhil in Prof. Ed Anderson's group, focusing on small ring chemistry. When the fume hood is shut down, I enjoy gym workouts, anime, and Gunpla models.
SOFIIA-STEFANIIA ZHYLINSKA
1st Year (Total Synthesis)
Hi! My name is Sofi, and I come from Ukraine. I obtained my B.Sc. degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Jacobs University Bremen (Constructor University) in Germany. During my time there, I researched organocatalytic enantioselective aldol reactions in the presence of Knoevenagel competitors. With the generous support of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), I also did a summer research internship in Canada focused on in silico studies of the Truce-Smiles rearrangement . Currently, I am exploring the total synthesis of polyketide natural products and their derivatives with promising antimicrobial properties.
DAHYEON RYU
1st Year (Small Rings Methodology)
I’m from Incheon, South Korea. I completed my undergraduate studies at King’s and my Master’s at UCL, where I worked with Professor Tom Sheppard on the design and synthesis of novel allosteric modulators for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, with potential applications for Alzheimer’s disease. In the Anderson group, I will be focusing on new approaches for the synthesis of propellanes using click chemistry. Outside of research, I enjoy cooking, playing video games, and I’m a huge cat lover!
OPHELIA HORNSEY
1st Year (Total Synthesis)
I am from the beautiful hilly Peak District in the north of England. I completed my MChem at the University of Oxford with my 4th year under the supervision of Prof. Ed Anderson working on the synthesis of a brominated analogue of a promising polyketide antibiotic: Enacyloxin-IIa. I have returned to the group to investigate the synthesis of intriguing structurally diverse indole alkaloids, many of which have potential biological application. Developing elegant sustainable solutions to complex structural targets is an exciting synthetic challenge that I look forward to continuing during my DPhil. Outside the lab I enjoy playing my violin, cycling, hiking and swimming.
MARGO VALENTINE
1st Year (Total Synthesis)
I was born and raised in Odessa, Ukraine, on the coast of the Black Sea. I then moved to Bratislava, Slovakia, to study Biological Chemistry, where I graduated with a BSc from Comenius University. Afterward, I completed an internship in Stuttgart, Germany, where I stayed for an additional year, working as a Student Researcher in the Organic Chemistry Department. Later, I pursued an MSc in Organic Chemistry: Drug Discovery at University College London (UCL). I completed my MSc thesis in Prof. Baker’s research group, focusing on the development of a Nitrile Bis-Thiol reaction. I joined Prof. Anderson’s research group for my DPhil, with a project focused on natural product synthesis using the Thiophene-S,S-dioxides (TDO) methodology.
Apart from chemistry, I enjoy art and long walks.
PART II / MASTERS STUDENTS
ZETAI WU
Part II (Total Synthesis)
I grew up in the mountainous city of Chongqing, southwest China. I am currently a fourth year undergraduate chemist at Jesus College. My project focused on the total synthesis of Morphine via cycloaddition using thiophene S,S-dioxide. In my freetime I enjoy cooking, reading history and travelling.
FREDDIE GILLBANKS
Part II (Organogermanium Chemistry)
I am from the lovely Borough of Camden in North London and am currently in my final year studying Chemistry at Corpus Christi College. My Part II project focuses on taking the existing methodology for the transformations of yndiamides and ynamides - developed by the Ed Anderson Group - and applying them to equivalent, germanium centred motifs. Being able to work on such novel compounds is exciting and I am more than intrigued to discover the various nuances and potential challenges that germanium may bring to the table. Outside of the lab I am a very avid backcountry skier and rambler, as well as being a keen, but rubbish, climber.
MINYU ZHANG
Part II (Total Synthesis)
I was born in Jiangsu, China and I am now a fourth year chemist at Hertford College. My Part II project is focusing on the synthesis of antibiotic vibroxin, which shows potent activity against various drug-resistant bacteria. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking and travelling during vacations.