MEET THE TURNER LAB MEMBERS

After completing my BS degree in Chemistry at Wake Forest University in 2008, I attended Vanderbilt University for my PhD in Biochemistry under the supervision of Prof. Brian Bachmann, working on the bioretrosynthetic construction of a non-natural nucleoside analogue biosynthetic pathway. I began postdoctoral research with Prof. Turner in 2014 focusing on the engineering and optimization of galactose oxidase for alcohol oxidation as part of the EU funded BIOOX project, and have now moved to working with reductive aminases in BIO-H-BORROW. Outside of work, I enjoy coffee, traveling, hiking, American football and playing badminton, football and board games.

I completed my undergraduate degree in biochemistry at The University of Sussex, carrying out a summer research project funded by the Wellcome Trust and final year project in a structural biology lab. Following this I was then awarded a place on the Wellcome Trust programme titled “Molecular basis of biological mechanisms” in The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology at The University of Leeds, during which I carried out rotation projects in molecular biology and enzymology, dynamic force spectroscopy and working with membrane proteins. My main PhD project finally focused on investigating the structure and dynamics of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), gaining experience in protein structure determination using multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. I currently work on carboxylic acid reductases, including the discovery, characterisation and application of CAR enzymes. When not working I enjoy spending time with my family.

I received my PhD in 2016, having worked in the groups of Jennifer Littlechild and Nicholas Harmer at the University of Exeter.  Nicholas Turner was actually my external examiner.  In Exeter I investigated the use of the thermophile Thermus thermophilus as a host organism for whole-cell biocatalysis, and the use of mathematical modelling for the optimization of multi-enzyme systems.  Following my PhD, I moved to the University of Manchester where I initially worked on the production of recombinant spider silk in the Takano group as part of the synbiochem center.  In 2019 I joined the Turner group, where I am exploring the potential of digital technologies to speed up research and development in biocatalysis.  Outside of work I enjoy cats, video games, home-automation and running.

I completed my MChem degree in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at The University of Manchester in 2015. During this time I gained research experience in the area of synthetic organic semiconductors in the group of Prof Stephen Yeates and co-supervised by Dr. Peter Quayle. I then started a PhD in supramolecular chemistry in the group of Prof David Leigh at The University of Manchester. Here my research was in molecular topology with a focus on the development of novel interlocked molecular architectures by template coordination with lanthanide ions. After my PhD I remained for a brief postdoctoral position in the Leigh group to help further develop the chemistry carried out during my doctoral studies. 

In 2021 I joined the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology as a PDRA in the group of Prof Nicholas Turner. Currently, my research work targets the application of enzymatic cascades towards the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant compounds.

In my spare time I enjoy cycling, swimming and going to the gym.

In 2009 I completed my undergraduate degree in Chemistry with Industrial Experience (MChem) at the University of Manchester, spending 12 months at AstraZeneca as a Synthetic Organic Chemist. I remained at the University to complete my BBSRC DTP PhD under the primary supervision of Prof. David Procter working on multiple projects ranging from natural product synthesis to metal-catalysis. On completing my PhD I took up a two year postdoc position at The University of Nottingham working for Prof. Hon Wai Lam, where I further refined my skills working on transition metal-catalysis, along with Natural product synthesis and route design. In 2019 I joined the Turner group where I use my experience of chemical synthesis to complement existing projects in the group, along with developing my own biocatalytic skills.

I studied an integrated masters in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Manchester. In my third year group project I carried out a linear 7-step synthesis of the natural product 4-indole Incarviditone under Dr Roger Whitehead and spent my masters project with the Turner-Flitsch group engineering P450-TT for the regioselective hydroxylation of decanoic acid.

Now I am on an industrial prosperity partnership with AstraZeneca and Prozomix – using halogenases, dehalogenases and epoxide hydrolases for the formation of small molecule drug candidates.

Outside of my studies I love sports – competing in swimming and triathlon to a high level and attempting different running events. I also climb, play the piano, listen to copious amounts of music and (occasionally) DJ.

I was born in Catalonia, in a small city near to Barcelona. I carried out my BSc in Biotechnology at my hometown university (University of Lleida). One year after, I completed my MSc in Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Barcelona. Finally, I went to the University of Manchester to join Nick Turner’s group as a PhD candidate under the Prosperity Partnership with AstraZeneca and Prozomix.

During my BSc last year, I did an internship in the MIB under the guidance of Dr Fabio Parmeggiani, working on the synthesis of APIs using phenylalanine ammonia lyases, amino acid deaminases and transaminases.

During my PhD I will be working with imine reductases (IREDs) and reductive aminases (RedAms), especially in the regio- and enantioselective reductive amination of diamines with aldehydes. Out of science, my interests lie in football (huge Barça fan), politics, travelling and music.

I studied for an integrated Masters degree in chemistry at the University of Sheffield, during which I developed an interest in biological chemistry. For my masters project I worked under the supervision of Dr Timothy Craggs developing a method for short-range smFRET.

I am part of the prosperity partnership and my project is in the area of nucleotide synthesis. In particular I am working on creating an enzymatic cascade for the synthesis of locked nucleic acids, a key chemical modification to antisense oligonucleotides.

When I am not in the lab I enjoy climbing, playing the guitar and being told that I look like Harry Potter.

I obtained my undergraduate degreeof Biotechnologyin Soochow University(Suzhou, China)  in June 2013. After this I moved to East China University of Science and Technology (Shanghai, China) to start my postgraduate study on biocatalysis under the supervision of Prof Jian-He Xu. In 2017, I was awarded a scholarship by China Scholarship Council to study in Manchester as a joint PhD student under the supervision of Prof Nicholas J. Turner, working on developing amine dehydrogenases for the synthesis of chiral amino alcohols. In my spare time I like playing basketball, listening to music and walking for sightseeing.

I completed my MChem in Chemistry with Study in Industry at the University of Manchester in 2012, during which I carried out a placement year at AstraZencea, Macclesfield, UK. I commenced my PhD studies in the Turner group in 2013, investigating imine reductase and reductive aminase biocatalysts for synthetic applications as well as developing biocatalytic cascades. My PhD was an Industrial CASE studentship with Pfizer and enabled me to spend a 3-month placement at the Pfizer laboratories in Sandwich, UK, investigating Pfizer proprietary biocatalysts for industrial application. My interests lie in cascade biocatalysis and the benefits and value that this can provide, particularly in an industrial setting, as well as the development of biocatalysis from lab- to plant-scale operation within the pharmaceutical sector. I am currently employed as a Senior Scientist at Pfizer working in the Groton Labs, Connecticut, USA in a team that accelerates and supports medicinal chemistry projects by implementing biocatalytic processes early  into synthetic routes. Since moving to the USA, I have tried out various sports including snowboarding and ad rock climbing but my passion remains figure skating and I now have the luxury of ice dancing with a former Team USA skater.

I completed my Master’s Degree in Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Padova in 2015 before beginning my doctoral studies in Manchester. I am working on P450 enzymes with the aim of discovering, characterizing, engineering and applying these powerful enzymes for chemical synthesis. During my PhD, I have spent 2 weeks in the Structural Biology group of Professor Andrea Mattevi in Pavia and one month in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering in Copenhagen with Professor John Woodley. Free time? Tuscany, rivers of wine, coffee, sports, peanut butter and rock music.

I obtained my MChem from Manchester in 2014, final year project with Dr Lu Shin Wong working in organic photochemistry. I stayed in Manchester to complete my PhD in the Turner lab as part of the Centre of Excellence in Biocatalysts, Biotransformations and Biocatalytic Manufacture (CoEBio3). During my PhD on hydrogen-borrowing amination of alcohols I had the opportunity to develop skills and collaborations across numerous areas of biocatalysis. Following the completion of my PhD at the end of 2017 I have moved to Stockholm, Sweden as a researcher for EnginZyme a start-up (and one of the collaborators I met during my PhD) developing immobilised enzymes for industrial applications. In my spare time I enjoy drinking coffee (Fika), cycling and cooking.

Education 2006-2010 BSc, Shanghai Normal University, 2011-2012 MSc, University of Manchester, 2013-2017, PhD Supervised by Professor Nicholas Turner, University of Manchester.

Particular scientific interest/s Transaminase, Biocatalytic synthesis of heteroaromatics

Hobbies or interests: Snowboarding, Photography, Travelling, Diving

It was 12^thSeptember 1996 when I first started working at UMIST (UMIST merged with Manchester Victoria University and became known as The University of Manchester). It was shortly after the merger in 2004 that I began working on the CoEBio3 Project for Professor Stan Roberts. Stan became the Centre Director at its launch in 2005. In 2006 Stan’s job was done – he stood down and handed over the reins to Nick Turner. For me there have been many changes over the years during which I have been blessed with happy, supportive colleagues not just in my immediate environment but across the University and Industry. It has been a pleasure to watch new students grow in confidence, complete their studies and succeed in their chosen careers. I retire at the end of 2018 and I will miss the varied characters of the Turner/Flitsch Group and the camaraderie of the CoEBio3 Team. I hope my successor enjoys it too.

I joined the group shortly after completing a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology at the University of Manchester – 2 weeks before graduating in fact! My PhD research focussed on the use of ammonia lyase and aminomutase enzymes for enantio- and regio- selective C-N bond formation. Following this I undertook a post-doctoral contract jointly supervised by Professors Nicholas Turner and Sabine Flitsch funded by the European Union, Innovative Medicines Initiative and BBSRC Networks in Industrial Biotechnology. I am currently a Lecturer in the School of Chemistry at the University of Manchester, teaching at the interface of organic chemistry and biomolecular sciences.

Throughout my time in the Turner Lab, I have been provided the freedom and support to pursue many aspects of academic life alongside scientific research. This has enabled me to incorporate aspects of higher education, enhancing of the student experience and public engagement with research into my work. I believe this fantastic working environment has allowed me to develop significantly, for example as a Visiting Fellow at the Open University, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Member of the Teaching Committee and Deputy Director for Social Responsibility within my department.

Aside from science, I enjoy teaching and supporting the development of others, as well as playing the clarinet in the Manchester Wind Orchestra and staying active through trampolining and trampoline coaching.

I was Scientific Project Manager with CoEBio3 from 2013-2018, before leaving to take the role of Programme Manager at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies in 2019.

I hold a first degree in Biochemistry and Biological & Medicinal Chemistry with Law from Keele University, and a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology from the University of Sheffield.

Before taking on a management role, I worked as a postdoctoral research associate with CoEBio3 at the University of Manchester for four years, collaborating on complex, multi-centre research projects. My research was around biocatalytic routes to access renewable feedstocks, firstly in partnership with Shell Global Solutions International B.V., and then as part of the International Flagship Cluster on “Biotechnological solutions to Australia’s transport energy and greenhouse gas challenges” funded by CSIRO.

Highlights of my time in the group include managing the EU FP7 projects BIONEXGEN and BIOOX, and BIOCATNET, a BBRSC Network in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB). I have managed many other projects during his time with group, including commercialisation of research outputs and industrial research contracts. As a key academic lead for the SynBioChem centre, I managed Dstl-funded synthetic biology for materials research. I was part of a group of academics and research managers driving development of the MIB’s Industrial Biotechnology for Advanced Materials theme, helping to grow an emerging UK and international community of researchers and industrialists working in this area.

Through my work as Network Manager of BIOCATNET, I developed an interest in UK policy and industrial strategy. I was a member of the commissioning board for a report on the UK industrial biotechnology landscape, “Developing a Strategy for Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy in the UK”.  This report was the starting point for a series of stakeholder consultations, engaging with industry, academia, NGOs, and UK and regional government departments and bodies. This work culminated in the publication of the Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum’s National “Industrial Biotechnology Strategy to 2030”, which I co-authored with Dr. Jen Vanderhoven of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, where I am now employed.

Outside of work, I am an avid connoisseur of whisky and absurd miscellany, an enthusiastic fan of England Rugby Union and regular attendee of Twickenham Stadium.

I gained my undergraduate degree in Nankai University, and working on the synthesis of o-hydroxyaryl-substitutedN-heterocyclic carbene and ferrocene derivatives with Prof Baiquan Wang. After this I moved to the Tianjian University to work with Prof Kang Zhao and Prof Richard P. Hsung on the synthesis of mycophenolic acid and 2-amido-indoles via ynamides. During my doctoral period, I went to GSK in the United States as a visitor to study the new drug development for one year. After I graduated, I started a business with my supervisor for two years. Then I joined in the group of Dunming Zhu and Qiaqing Wu in the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology Chinese Academy of Sciences and my research interests range from discovery of novel industrial enzymes to understanding of biocatalytic reaction mechanisms, and the integration of biocatalysis into complex organic synthesis. In 2018, I was awarded a scholarship under the State Scholarship Fund to move here as a visiting scholar, working with reductive aminases to synthesize different N-substituted amino acid esters. In my spare time I like long walks in the countryside and watching TV.

I completed my MChem in Chemistry with Study in America at the University of Sheffield in 2015, before beginning my doctoral studies in Manchester. I am currently investigating the structure-activity relationship of imine reductases with a view to obtaining improved biocatalysts for reductive amination. I have a broad interest in organic synthesis and intensification, and find enzymes particularly exciting because of the potential for dramatic improvement to a process through identification of homologues or engineering. Between semesters I have undertaken internships at Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH in Biberach, Germany and Thermal Hazard Technology in Bletchley, UK, as well as supervising Headstart courses run by the Engineering Development Trust. I also spent 3 months working at Johnson Matthey in Cambridge, UK as part of my industrial CASE studentship. In my free time I enjoy horse riding, cycling and discovering new forms of motorsport.

I graduated in Chemistry at Universidad del País Vasco(Spain) and I did my PhD in Organic Synthesis under the supervision of Prof Miguel Yus and Dr Isidro M. Pastor at Universidad de Alicante (Spain). In 2013 I joined Prof Carmen Claver research group on developing new supported catalysts for the transformation of organic reactions from batch to continuous flow (SYNFLOW European Project) and two years later, I was awarded a personal postdoctoral Marie Curie COFUND fellowship for the sustainable production of high values chemicals under continuous flow, I carried out that project in two different centres: I joined Prof. Alexei Lapkin group at University of Cambridge (UK) for a year and Prof. Carmen Claver group at Centre Tecnològic de la Química de Catalunya(Tarragona, Spain) for a second year.

I was part of a collaborative project with Prof Michael Greaney and Prof Nicholas Turner which consists of the integration of electrosynthesis and biocatalysis under continuous flow. It supposes an exciting new challenge in my professional career, always oriented to sustainable processes.

I have just begun a new role as Research Fellow in the Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub https://futurebrh.com

Apart of that, I love literature, travelling, music and human rights.

I obtained my Ph. D at the University of Oviedo (Spain) under the supervision of Vicente Gotor-Fernandez working on new biocatalytic routes to synthesise optically active alcohols employing alcohol dehydrogenases and lipases. During that time, I undertook a 3-month internship at Gideon Grogan’s lab at the University of York. Then I moved to Lund University in Sweden for two years to work in Prof. Patrick Adlercreutz’s group on the optimisation of chemoenzymatic processes to obtain biodiesel, tailored triglycerides and prebiotics using hydrolases. For the last 3 years, I have been working as a Research Associate at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology within the ‘IRED team’, working on the discovery, engineering, characterisation and applications of novel biocatalysts for the production of amines. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, travelling and photography as well as hanging out with friends and colleagues in local restaurants and pubs.

I now have my own research group in ISQCH at the University of Zaragoza, Spain