Current group
Dr Mostafa Amer
Mostafa was born and raised in Egypt, earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry before moving to the UK for an MPhil in Gardiner’s lab at the University of Manchester, where he worked on synthesising fluorescent-tagged indoloquinoline derivatives as potential anticancer agents. He then pursued a Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan Clayden at the University of Bristol, focusing on the stereoselective synthesis of quaternary amino acids. In 2020, Mostafa joined the Bolm's group at RWTH-Aachen University as a postdoctoral fellow, His research focused on sulfur chemistry, catalysis, and ball-milling techniques. He also collaborated with the Beller group (Leibniz Institute for Catalysis) and the Holzgrabe group to explore ball-milling-assisted API degradation. In 2022, he returned to the UK as an EPSRC postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Tim Donohoe, focusing on 1,5-hydride shift and hydrogen borrowing catalysis. Outside the lab, Mostafa enjoys running, football, and chess.
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.
Jessica Crompton
I’m originally from Durham and I completed my MChem at Somerville College, University of Oxford in 2020. My Master’s project, under the supervision of Prof. Angela Russell, involved the mechanistic study and one-pot synthesis of small molecules containing a novel fragment in medicinal chemistry. During my undergraduate degree, I designed and delivered an outreach project in local schools centred on the chemistry involved in baking and have continued this outreach during my DPhil studies. As part of my first year in the Synthesis for Biology and Medicine CDT, I completed rotations in the Donohoe and Smith groups, the latter focusing on oxidative cross coupling reactions to gain access to atropisomeric heterobiaryl compounds. For my DPhil project, I am investigating ways to incorporate new C-C bond forming techniques into hydrogen borrowing. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking (usually something chocolatey), singing and horse-riding.
Oskar Ford
Oskar is the recipient of the Derek-Calam SBM CDT Graduate Scholarship at Wadham college. Originally from north-west London, Oskar completed his MChem at Wadham College in 2023, undertaking his masters project in the group of Prof. Darren Dixon investigating the application of catalytic, enantioselective 1,3-prototropic shifts in total synthesis. Prior to this, he spent a summer working in analytical chemistry and biosciences for Procter & Gamble. After a rotation project in the group of Prof. Darren Dixon, Oskar joined the Donohoe group as a rotation student on the SBM CDT investigating dearomative annulation cascades of isoquinolines in total synthesis. He elected to stay and complete his full DPhil project in the Donohoe group, developing novel methods for the dearomative functionalisation of heterocycles with a long-term goal of applying these in total synthesis. Outside of the lab, Oskar is a keen hockey player and also enjoys playing squash, cycling, 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.
Akvile Mazeikaite
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 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.
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.
Matheus Ramos Florencio
I am a fourth-year undergraduate at Balliol College. Outside the lab I enjoy cooking, boxing, and watching movies.
Louis Govani
Hailing from Tamworth Staffordshire, I am a fourth-year undergraduate at Somerville College with a love for total synthesis. Outside the lab I enjoy spending time with friends, video games, and baking.
Dylan Reilly
Originally from London, I am a fourth year undergraduate student at Oriel College. My research interests include total synthesis and asymmetric catalysis, and outside of the lab I enjoy rowing and playing football for my college.
