Team Members

Post Docs

PhD Students

Alberto Hernan-Gomez

I am a research associate at the University of Strathclyde within the group of Prof. Eva Hevia. I received both my BsC. degree in chemistry, and my PhD in chemistry from the University of Alcala in 2008 and 2012, respectively. My PhD focused on the study of unique oxo heterobimetallic or heterotrimetallic complexes bearing titanium and metals of group 13 and 1, synthesis and characterization. During this time I spent four months in the group of Dr. Andrew Burrows (University of Bath) where I developed new MOFs based on zinc(II) and aluminium(III) dicarboxylate frameworks with electrochemical behavior through incorporation of ferrocene derivatives.

My current research focuses on applying polar organometallic reagents that incorporate special cooperative effects to key organometallic transformations (both stoichiometrically and catalytically) and advancing the understanding on how these complex systems operate. Recent breakthroughs include quantifying activating effects of inorganic salts when added to single-metal reagents (ACIE 2014, 53, 2706) and green chemistry (ACIE 2014, 53, 5969), as well as informative mechanistic studies codifying how bimetallic compounds catalysed hydroamination reactions (Chem. Commun, 2013, 49, 8659) and novel applications of s-block reagents in cascade activations of N-heterocycles (Chem Sci. 2013, 4, 1895).

Ross McLellan

I am currently a research associate working in the Hevia and Mulvey research groups. The focus of my present research is exploring the ways in which bimetallic cooperation can influence, and ultimately enhance the metallation of a range of synthetically useful substrates. I obtained both my Masters and PhD degrees from Heriot-Watt University, with the latter under the supervision of Prof. Alan Welch. These studies focussed on the synthesis, characterisation and novel chemistry of a range heteroborane compounds. Subsequently I worked as a postdoctoral research associate for Dr Scott Dalgarno, investigating the controlled synthesis of calixarene-supported paramagnetic metal clusters and their associated applications in magnetism. Following this I worked as a research associate with Dr Stuart Robertson at the University of Strathclyde, investigating catalytic main group element-element bond forming reactions using lithium based precatalysts. In my spare time I like to relax by cooking, playing music and playing or watching sports whenever I can.

Marina Uzelac

I am a third year PhD student working on the design and application of polymetallic reagents which combine metals with distinct polarities (in particular a Group 1 Metal with Ga or Mn) and integrating them with different ligand sets into the one molecule.

In my spare time I enjoy travelling and reading all sorts of crime novels with my favourite being the Queen of Crime, Dame Agatha Christie.

Laia Davin Cardona

I am a 3rd year PhD student in the group of Prof. Eva Hevia. My current research focuses on the study of catalytic systems using alkali-metal and magnesiate precatalysts as well as the study of new magnesiated intermediates. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 2011 at Universitat de Barcelona. During my degree, I was awarded with an Erasmus fellowship, which gave me the opportunity to work in the laboratory of Prof. Laurent Bonneviot and Dr Belen Albela in École Normale Supérieure de Lyon in France. I have acquired my Master’s degree in Inorganic Chemistry in 2013, also at Universitat de Barcelona, working in the group of Prof. Oriol Rossell and under the supervision of Dr Inma Angurell. I also took part in a short-term scientific mission stay during three months at University La Sapienza (Rome) in the laboratory of Prof. Antonella Dalla Cort.

Marco De Tullio

I was born in Bari, south of Italy. I grew up in Bari but I spent all of my summers in Villaviciosa, a small village in Asturias, north of Spain where my mother is from. I completed scientific school

“Liceo Scientifico” in Bari in 2005. I then moved to Spain to study chemistry at the University of Oviedo in 2006. I did my final year project at the University of Bristol in 2011 working under the supervision of Dr Stephen Thomas on “Iron-Catalysed hydrocarboxylation reactions using CO2”. I returned to Oviedo in 2012 and started working in Dr Carlos Valdes group on “Palladium-Catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of tosylhydrazones and aryl nonaflates”. Finally in October 2012 I started working in Prof Eva Hevia’s group as a research assistant. I am now in the final stages of my PhD focusing on the synthesis and reactivity of alkali-metal magnesiates in new catalytic and stoichiometric applications. I love sports in general, such as: football, running, snowboarding, squash but in particular surfing. I am a food lover and I am quite obsessed with healthy food.

Andrew Roberts

Born in Lanark, I grew up in the west of Scotland, living in both Greenock and Kilmacolm. Starting MChem studies at the University of Strathclyde in 2008, I completed my degree in 2013, working under Dr Stuart Robertson in my final year. Now living in Glasgow, I spend my spare time supporting/suffering Greenock Morton or cycling past lots of coffee shops in search of a more distant coffee shop.

Lewis Maddock

Born in London and raised in Aberdeenshire, I chose to follow in my Grandfather’s footsteps and study chemistry. I completed a Master’s in Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde in 2012 with an exchange year at the University of Calgary, Canada and an industrial placement at Huntsman in Leuven, Belgium. I am now in the closing stages of my PhD focussing on the synthesis, characterisation and application of novel sodium ferrate complexes. I enjoy freestyle skiing, martial arts tricking, cooking and Olympic weightlifting.

Victoria Pollard

Studied chemistry at the University of Edinburgh obtaining a Masters degree in 2015. My degree included a year's placement at Sasol Technology UK in St Andrews studying the synthesis and characterisation of ethylene oligomerisation catalysts. My final year research project was conducted in the research group of Professor Polly Arnold studying the coordination chemistry of macrocyclic ligands. In October 2015 I moved to the University of Strathclyde where I am studying towards my PhD with Professors Eva Hevia and Robert Mulvey.

Michael Fairley

Completed an MSci in Applied chemistry and chemical engineering at Strathclyde University in 2015, having done one year at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid through the ERASMUS programme. I spent some weeks in the lab of Prof. Orellana Moraleda in the Chemical optosensors group and laboratory of applied photochemistry during his year in Spain. I completed my final year project at Strathclyde as part of the Skabara group working on the synthesis of compounds for use in organic photovoltaic devices. I am currently in the first year of my PhD and my project is on chiral bimetallic reagents for green applications in synthesis with Professor Eva Hevia and Doctor Charlie O’Hara.