Group Members
Paul Thornton (Principal Investigator)
Paul completed undergraduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Leeds before moving across the Pennines to undertake an EPSRC-sponsored MSc in Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester (2004). He completed a PhD under the expert supervision of Professor Rein Ulijn in 2008 on the topic of enzyme-responsive hydrogel-based materials, and joined the R&D team of Safulon CL (now CooperVision). After 18 months in industry, Paul joined the research group of Professor Andreas Heise in Dublin as a research fellow in the creation of stimuli-responsive materials. After three happy years Paul commenced an EU-Shell sponsored fellowship at Durham University, researching the creation of polymeric hydrogels for chronic wound management. In 2013 Paul joined the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds as a lecturer in Polymer Chemistry. His research is focussed on the creation of degradable, stimuli-responsive polymers, ideally from renewable sources and with particular focus on controlled release applications. Paul is very active and enthusiastic in the teaching of Polymer Chemistry, winning the faculty award for Inspirational Teaching in 2018. In his spare time Paul likes to play (badly) and watch sport and non-sport (Rotherham United), in addition to following his young son around the house, picking up the items that are blissfully deposited at random on the floor.
Current Group Members (Primary Supervisor)
Patrick Wall
Paddy read chemistry at University of Leeds from 2015 to 2019, graduating with an MChem BSc. He undertook a final year project in Paul Thornton’s group concerned with the production of novel biodegradable gels boasting antimicrobial properties. The project resulted in an ACS Applied Polymer Materials publication.
After a year exploring exotic parts of the world, and Birmingham, Paddy returned to Paul Thornton’s group in 2020 to explore controlled poly(amino acid) syntheses, with a particular focus in eliminating the use of phosgene, a highly toxic reagent.
In his spare time, Paddy enjoys watching Liverpool F.C. dominate English and European football, as well as partaking in a variety of sports such as football, bouldering and squash. Paddy also has an interest in music composition and production, and is always keen to grab a flat white.
Xuchen Jin
Xuchen completed a Bachelor of Engineering degree at the South China University of Technology in 2018, majoring in Resources and Environmental Science. He then completed a Master of Engineering degree in 2021, majoring in Biomass Science and Engineering. He joined our group in October 2021, conducting research into the use of renewable polymers as bioadsorbents, catalyst hosts, and controlled release vehicles. He is a fabulous singer and enjoys playing table tennis.
Sui Lam Hung (Wolter) 
Sui Lam completed a B.Sc. in Chemistry at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2021, before beginning a PhD in our group in November 2021. His research interests are focussed on the synthesis of biodegradable amphiphilic nanoparticles through ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) for controlled release applications. In particular, the project is concerned with the release of organometallic therapeutics for cancer treatment and is co-supervised by Professor Patrick McGowan. Sui Lam has been practicing archery for many years, and is an expert in traditional archery.
Anna Morrell
Anna completed an MChem degree in Chemistry at the University of Sheffield in 2019 and undertook a master’s project in the Ryan-Mykhaylyk group. During this project, she investigated the effect of temperature, concentration and pH on the shear and birefringence properties of modified cellulose using a shear-induced polarised light imaging rheometer. Anna then went on to work as a graduate research assistant at the University of Warwick for six months, exploring the action of polymeric dispersants in batteries, before deciding to head back up north to start a PhD in the Molecules to Product CDT, joining our group in March 2021. Her project currently explores the synthesis and characterisation of poly(amino acid) nanoparticles formed through a combination of ring-opening polymerisation and polymerisation-induced self-assembly and is co-supervised by Dr Nicholas Warren and Prof. Michael Rappolt. In her spare time, Anna enjoys being active, and getting outside to go running whenever possible.
Ben Coyne
Ben completed an MChem degree at Durham University, before joining the Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces (SOFI) CDT in 2019. As part of the CDT Ben joined our group in March 2021 to undertake a project concerning the creation of potential drug delivery vehicles in collaboration with Astra Zeneca.
Huai-Sheng Chin
Huai-Sheng completed a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at Tatung university of Taiwan in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, Huai-Sheng studied and successfully synthesised a series of high-performance polymers which is based on a fluorophore for his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Tatung university of Taiwan. Huai-Sheng then joined our group in 2022 aiming to produce dynamic hydrogels capable of self-healing. In his spare time, Huai-Sheng enjoys cooking and playing basketball - he has an interest in the different basketball leagues around the world.
Former Group Members (Primary Supervisor)
Mthulisi Khuphe
Mthulisi received a PhD in Polymer Chemistry in 2017, winning the 'J B Cohen Prize for most valuable contribution to knowledge' in the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds. His research included the creation of polymers for controlled release applications from poly(amino acids), poly(hydroxy acids), and combinations of the two polymer classes.
Following graduation, Mthulisi undertook an industrially-supported research fellowship in contact lens materials, within the Heise Polymer Group, at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). He then returned to Leeds as a Research Fellow in Technical Materials within the group of Professor Ningtao Mao. Mthulisi subsequently joined the University of Hull, where he is the intellectual property officer within the commercialisation team.
Saskia Boardman
Saskia obtained a degree in Chemistry at the University of York before undertaking the MSc in Polymers, Colorants, and Fine Chemicals at the University of Leeds, during which time she undertook a research project in our group. Following graduation Saskia commenced a EPSRC iCASE PhD sponsored by P&G on the subject of dye transfer inhibition. Saskia's research included the use of chitosan hydrogels and polyester-polyether block copolymers for this aim, and was patented.
Following PhD graduation, Saskia commenced work at the Department for Environmental, Food, and Rural Affairs.
Huayang Yu
Huayang completed the MSc programme in Polymers Colorants and Fine Chemicals in the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds, before joining our group in October 2017. Huayang's project was concerned with the controlled creation of polymeric nanoparticles. Huayang has a passion and talent for RAFT polymerisation, and was able to demonstrate the synthesis of fucose-modified nanoparticles for controlled drug release and thermoresponsive nanoparticles. In addition, Huayang utilised N-carboxyanhydride ring-opening polymerisation (NCA ROP) to create nanoparticles for acid-catalysed chemotherapeutic release. Huayang's thesis was officially recognised for its 'research excellence, and she now works within the group of Professor Ningtao Mao at the University of Leeds.
Ziyu Gao
Ziyu began her PhD in Chemistry at University of Leeds in 2018, and completed it in 2020. Ziyu's project explored potential biomedical applications on Hyaluronic acid-based materials and was co-supervised by Giuseppe Tronci of the School of Dentistry. She developed an interest in transition-metal chelation during this time, especially in applying Iron-Sulfur complexes for metalloproteinase inhibition. Additionally, Ziyu is also interested in phosphate-hyaluronic acid interaction for biomineralization and developing dynamic materials for wound healing purposes. Ziyu now works as a postdoctoral researcher with Francesca Santoro of the Tissue Electronics Laboratory in the Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare in Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT, Italy).
Jason Rowley
Jason joined our group in October 2017 after completing the MSc in Polymers, Colorants, and Fine Chemicals at the University of Leeds. Jason's research is primarily concerned with the production of polymer-inorganic composite materials as controlled release vehicles that demonstrate phosphorescence. As a recipient of a Gunnell Matthews Scholarship, Jason's research is concerned with coloured materials, and has included the creation of antimicrobial coloured organogels and permanently coloured polyester-polyether block copolymers that may act as dye transfer inhibitors in advanced laundry care formulations.