Current group
Dr Andrew Bage
Originally from Bedfordshire, I obtained an MChem degree from Newcastle University, which included a final year project under the supervision of Dr Fabio Cucinotta. I subsequently moved to the University of Edinburgh to complete my PhD, investigating boron catalysis with Professor Stephen Thomas, with funding from AstraZeneca. After a short postdoc in the Thomas group exploring iron-catalysed transformations, I received a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship to develop Spns2 inhibitors to treat renal fibrosis with Professor Webster Santos at Virginia Tech. I returned to the UK to work on an EPSRC funded project with Dr Mark Greenhalgh at the University of Warwick, researching halogen and chalcogen bonding, and completed a short computational-based placement with Professors Mercedes Alonso Giner and Frank de Proft at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). In my spare time, I enjoy playing and watching sport, hiking, and playing and listening to music.
Dr Tim Davidson
I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, working under the supervision of Dr M. Nappi and Prof. M. Gaunt to develop a metal-free strategy for the photochemical activation of alcohols. I then moved to Oxford for my DPhil, where I joined the group of Prof D. Dixon to research the total synthesis of complex Daphniphyllum alkaloids. Following my studies, I joined the Donohoe group, where my research focusses on the development of novel heteroarene dearomatisation reactions and their application to total synthesis. Outside of the lab, I am an avid football fan and musician.
Francisco Battiti
I did my undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, conducting research on light mediated dearomatization of arenes with Prof. David Sarlah. I subsequently joined Dr Amy Newman’s lab at the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA/NIH) to develop dopamine receptor ligands. I then joined the Donohoe lab working in conjunction with Dr Newman’s lab to use the development of hydrogen borrowing methodologies to access new dopaminergic scaffolds. Outside the lab I like to do things that are occasionally fun.
Lirong Cao
I graduated with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver in 2020. I completed my MRes degree with Prof. James A. Bull. at Imperial College London, working on C-H activation. In the Donohoe group, my research focuses on hydrogen borrowing catalysis. Outside chemistry, I enjoy reading and travelling.
Oskar Ford
Originally from north-west London, I completed my MChem at Wadham College in 2023, undertaking my masters project in the group of Prof. Darren Dixon in total synthesis. Prior to this, I spent a summer working in analytical chemistry and biosciences for Procter & Gamble. I then joined the Synthesis for Biology and Medicine Centre for Doctoral Training where I hold the Derek-Calam graduate scholarship at Wadham College. After a rotation project in the group of Prof. Darren Dixon, I joined the Donohoe group as a rotation student investigating dearomative annulation cascades of isoquinolines in total synthesis. I have ultimately decided to stay in the Donohoe group to complete my DPhil. My hobbies include synthesis of organic compounds, purification of organic compounds, and catching up with the literature. Outside of the lab, I am a keen hockey player and also enjoy playing squash, running, and cooking.
Hannah Hou
Originally from China, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford. In 2020, I joined the Donohoe group to work on synthesis of acyl cyclohexenes via an aluminium mediated [1,5]-hydride shift. In my free time I enjoy travelling, reading and playing video games.
Tim Jenkins
I'm originally from Essex and completed my undergraduate degree at Brasenose College, Oxford. My master's project was towards a stereoselective method of producing 4,16 functionalised pseudopara[2.2]paracyclophanes. My DPhil was initially focussed on catalytic temporary dearomatisation reactions of pyridine moieties, but I am currently looking at reductive annulation reactions towards the total synthesis of the Crinane family of natural products. Outside of the lab I enjoy singing with my college choir, operating steam engines at Didcot railway centre and 16th century domestic re-enactment.
Sam Lennon
I am a first-year graduate student at St Catherine's College studying for a DPhil in organic chemistry in the Donohoe Group. I previously completed my master’s degree in the Donohoe Group; my master's research focused on the synthesis of five-membered rings through the application of alumina catalysed C-H bond functionalisation processes. When I am not in the lab, I can be found playing the classical guitar or rowing on the River Isis.
Akvilė Mažeikaitė
Originally from Lithuania, I finished my MChem degree at Newcastle University. During my studies, I spent my year abroad at University of Ottawa (Canada) under supervision of Prof. Louis Barriault and studied total synthesis of plumerallide via one pot domino Au (I) catalysed transannular Diels-Alder reaction. My final year project with two summer projects under supervision of Dr. Michael J. Hall focused on total synthesis of siderophore enterobactin and its ‘Trojan Horse’ antibiotic derivative synthesis. In 2024, I’ve started my DPhil in Donohoe lab as "Kitas 100" laureate focusing on total synthesis of natural products via hydrogen borrowing catalysis. Outside of the lab, I enjoy going to various art galleries and gigs, reading and embroidery.
Zachary Rawlinson
I’m a DPhil student doing a joint project between the Donohoe group, and the Jiang group in the Department of Oncology. My DPhil is all about a cancer-associated protein called survivin. I’ve been making small-molecule drugs in the Donohoe group that aim to degrade survivin, and evaluating their efficacy by biological and biophysical assays in the Jiang group. I have an integrated master’s in biochemistry from Oxford, so although I’m the only member of the Donohoe group without a chemistry degree, it’s come in useful to link together the chemical and the biological sides of my research. When I’m not in labs I enjoy playing squash, bicycling everywhere, and going to the opera (especially Gilbert and Sullivan). I’m also not a half-bad juggler!
Teddy Smith
Originally from London, I completed my undergraduate degree at Oxford, joining the Donohoe group for my Part II project in 2021. In 2022, I joined the SBM CDT, and after rotations in the Donohoe and Fletcher groups, returned to the Donohoe group for my substantive project. I’m currently working on the application of a [1,5]-hydride shift – aldol cascade reaction in the total synthesis of octahydronaphthalene containing natural products. Outside the lab, I enjoy rowing for my college and cooking for friends.
Erik Trebilcock
Originally from Los Angeles, I completed my undergraduate degree at Columbia University. During undergrad, I worked under Prof. Makeda Tekle-Smith, where I investigated a catalyst-free, photomediated two-carbon insertion via a interrupted Norrish Type 1 with a DFT and data-science driven approach. I’m currently working on a mechanistic investigation of a [1,5]-hydride shift - aldol cascade reaction. Outside of chemistry, I enjoy cycling, traveling, and going to music festivals.
Andrew Tinkler
I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford with my final year project, working in the Donohoe Group, focussing on the synthesis of PROTACs targeting the survivin protein. I continued in the group for my DPhil and now work on the enantioselective dearomative functionalisation of nitrogen heterocycles. Outside of chemistry, I enjoy playing the piano, programming and catching up with friends.
Jinfang Wang
I'm originally from China and now i have a MPhil project supervised by Prof. Tim Donohoe related to 1,5-hydride shifts in the synthesis of tetrahydropyridines. Outside of chemistry, I enjoy music, board games, basketball and frisbee.
Roxana Zhang
Roxana Zhang completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Liverpool and obtained her Master’s degree from the National University of Singapore, where she worked on Pd-catalyzed cycloadditions to construct medium-sized rings. She is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Oxford, exploring dearomative functionalization. Outside of lab, she enjoys playing video games, discovering pubs and browsing vintage boutiques.
Eirinn Hannaway
Originally from Teeside, I am a fourth-year undergraduate at Worcester college. In the lab I love synthesis, with my current work focused on hydrogen borrowing, and outside the lab I love going to concerts and knitting.
Owen Picton
Initially from Bracknell but now living in Andover, I am a fourth year undergraduate student at Jesus College. My research interest include synthesis and catalysis with the aim of eventually applying these to the pharmaceutical industry. Outside the lab, I enjoy binge-watching TV series, going to the gym, playing badminton and occasionally enjoy watching Arsenal.
Amanda Taylor
Originally from South Shields, I am a fourth-year undergraduate at New College with an interest in total synthesis. Outside of the lab I like reading and going to the gym.
