Group Members

Principal Investigator

Dr Silvia Díez-González 

Dr. Silvia Díez-González received her MSci in organic chemistry from the Universidad del País Vasco (Spain) and the Université Paris XI (France) in 2000 and her Ph.D on organosilicon chemistry from the Université Paris XI under the supervision of Dr Luis Blanco.

After two post-doctoral stays with Professors Steve Nolan and Feliu Maseras, Silvia first joined the Department of Chemistry at Imperial as part of the first promotion of Imperial College Junior Research Fellows, where she is currently a Senior Lecturer in Catalysis.

For more information, visit Silvia's website

Postgraduate students

Shuai YANG, 2nd Year PhD  

Shuai is from China, and completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at University of Vermont and then a master degree in Chemistry at University of Leeds. During that time he completed a research project with professor Visuvanathar Sridharan on iridium-catalysed reductive 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of tertiary amides. Shuai started his PhD studies in June 2020 on a project focused on developing copper(I) catalysis.

Outside of chemistry, Shuai likes making cocktails, cooking, traveling and reading novels.

Raul PACHECO MUINO, 2nd Year PhD 

Originally from Venezuela, Raul obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Queen’s University Belfast in 2019. After 2 years in industry working as a R&D chemist at MOF Technologies, he returned to education and obtained hisMaster’s Degree at the University of Liverpool, where he completed a research project on the electrochemical characterisation of a novel cathode material for magnesium batteries under the supervision of Dr Troy Manning. Raul started his PhD in October 2022 with funding from AstraZenec and his project focuses on the exploration of deep eutectic solvents for synthetic applications.

Outside of chemistry Raul enjoys travelling, learning languages, reading history, and cooking.

The PRESTON, CDT student

Thea studied at the University of Bristol (2018-2022) and graduated with a First class MSci degree in Chemistry. Her final year project was in the Pringle group and focused on phosphite ligand synthesis to be applied in rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of 1-hexene.

After taking a year out, she has started studying at Imperial as part of the CDT React programme in September 2023, with her project co-supervised by Silvia, James Bull and Kim Jelfs. Her project focuses on ligand parameterisation for Cu-catalysed cross-coupling reactions. Thea enjoys exploring London, crochet and trying new pubs! 

Nne M Pepple, Global Development Fellow  

Nne is the beneficiary of a Global Development Fellowship from Imperial College London. She holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Inorganic Chemistry and she is currently a PhD student in Chemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her research is on Synthesis, characterization, anticancer potentials, and DNA cleavage potential of acylthioureas and their metallic complexes.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Nne developed a passion for science and education early on.  Nne is also an active member of her community, volunteering with youth organizations and participating in environmental conservation projects. She aims to continue her research and contribute to advancements in inorganic chemistry and general science, while also nurturing her love for music and gardening.
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 Steve GONG, MRes in Catalysis  

Steve is from China and completed his BSc degree in University College London. He is currently a MRes student in Catalysis. His project focuses on light-activated coatings for the abatement of nitrogen oxides in city air. This is a collaboration with Dr Andreas Kafizas.

Outside of chemistry Steve enjoys travelling and baking.

 Lin ZHENG, MRes in Green Chemistry  

Originally from China, Lin studied at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and graduated with a First class BSc degree in Chemistry. He is currently a MRes student in the Green Chemistry, Energy and the Environment degree. His research project is on the capture and utilization of carbon dioxide using ionic liquids, which is co-supervised by Prof. Tom Welton.

In addition, Lin is also a photographer and is good at using black and white film.

Baninderjit KAUR POONIA, MRes in Catalysis

Undergraduate students

Jeongwoo KIM, UROP student

Jeongwoo is from South Korea and is currently studying for a BSc in Chemistry at the University of Hong Kong. He joined Imperial in 2024 as visiting student to study the use of copper catalysis in the deuteration of triazoles.

Outside of chemistry, he likes playing badminton and table tennis. He also enjoys travelling around the world.

Cristiana DARIE, MSci student

Cristiana began studying for an MSci in Chemistry in 2020 and completed a UROP project with the Greenaway Lab at Imperial in summer 2023 focused on the design and synthesis of liquid crystalline porous organic cages. Her MSci research project will delve into the use of deep eutectic solvents as non-traditional solvents for organic syntheses, such as oxidative dehydrogenation reactions of heterocyclic compounds.

Outside of the lab, Cristiana enjoys reading and immersing in musical culture, as well as travelling for landscape photography

Annabelle HIGGS, MSci student

Annabelle is from the UK and joined Imperial in 2020 to study for an MSci in Chemistry and this year is undertaking a final year project investigating the reactivity and synthetic potential of 1,2,3-triazolines.

Outside of Chemistry Annabelle enjoys music and sings in Imperial College Choir and plays clarinet with Imperial College Wind Band.

Florence BURT, BSc student

Florence joined Imperial in 2021 to study a BSc in Chemistry and is now pursuing her final year project on the oxidation of heterocycles with H₂O₂ and different solvent systems.

Outside of chemistry, Florence enjoys sewing, cooking and fermentation.