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James was recently awarded a Researcher Mobility Fellowship by the Royal Society of Chemistry to visit the research group of Prof. Hey-Hawkins at the University of Leipzig for a 6 week period, with the aim of investigating the transition metal chemistry of highly reactive organophosphorus compounds. The fellowship is awarded to young researchers who wish to build relationships and research collaborations in the early stages of their career, and the RSC provided the generous support for his stay.

“I thoroughly enjoyed living in such a vibrant city and my time working in an internationally renowned research group. My time in the group of Prof. Hey-Hawkins was very informative and we learnt much about the nature of the compounds used in the project, furthermore I was pleased to make some very good friends. We aim to continue the project with the participation of a research group in the USA and hope that the collaboration between the Universities of Newcastle and Leipzig will grow in the future.”

On the 16th February 2015 Manuel Abelairas-Edesa became Dr Manuel when he successfully defended his thesis under the examination of Professor Paul Kamer from St. Andrews and Dr Andrew Pike (NU). His research was focused on the synthesis, air-stability and reactivity of bidentate primary phosphines.

Manuel first joined the group as an Erasmus student from the University of Santiago de Compostela, before returning to Newcastle to commence his PhD the following year.

Many congratulations/felicitaciones!

Jenny gave a lecture on her Fluorescent Bodipy Phosphine research following an introduction by Bob Redfern (Managing Director) of High Force Research Ltd at the June EngD conference, hosted by the Biopharmaceutical Bioprocessing Technology Centre. A meal at St James’ Park was a welcome reward.

There was thankfully no ‘Mayday’ for Dr Sibbald, as Connor successfully defended his PhD thesis under examination by Prof Eva Hey-Hawkins (Leipzig). Thanks to Dr John Errington for his role as Internal Examiner. Connor now works for Johnson Matthey, Billingham on catalytic research.

Lee, Jenny and James made the trip to Dallas for the 2014 Spring ACS, and followed this up with a visit to our collaborators at UNLV, stopping along the way at The Grand Canyon so that James could look at a cactus.