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
Raul PACHECO MUINO, 3rd 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.
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.
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!
Amy Zhang, MRes in Catalysis
Sude BEKTAS, MRes in Catalysis
Lin MIAO, MRes in Green Chemistry
Jiayan SHEN, MRes in Nanomaterials
Undergraduate students
Raelene RACHMAT, MSci student
Matei SITARU, MSci student
Fane SHALA, Exchange student
Originally Albanian, Fane is currently studying for a BSc in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at EPFL in Switzerland. She joined Imperial in 2024 as part of an academic exchange program and her current project explores the use of copper catalysis in the formation of deuterated triazoles.
Moreover, she enjoys exploring London just as much as the world.
Joel COLYER, BSc student
Vivienne CADOGAN, BSc student
Ryan WILKINS, BSc student
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Dr Lalita Radtanajiravong (April 2016 - July 2020) 'Metal-free valorisation of propargylic alcohols and azides' She moved on to: Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at University of Phayao (Thailand) |
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Dr Filip Sebest (Oct 2014 - Sept 2018) 'Metal-free dipolar cycloaddition reactions for sustainable nitrogen-containing heterocycles' He moved on to: Marie-Curie Sklodowska postdoctoral fellowship in Germany |
Dr Ethan Richards (Oct 2014 - Sept 2018) 'Bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes as efficient ligands for Ullmann-type couplings' He moved on to: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government |
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Dr Benjamin Zelenay (Sept 2013 - August 2017) ‘Structural and catalytic studies on novel copper complexes’ He moved on to: Operation Chemist at Lonza |
Dr Sarah Gates (Nov 2012 - July 2016) ‘Investigating metal formyl complexes for homogeneous syngas conversion’ He moved on to: Policy Adviser at DCMS |
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Dr John M. Collinson (Oct 2010 - August 2014) ‘Immobilised N-heterocyclic carbene metal complexes in catalysis’ He moved on to: Chemist at Johnson Matthey |
Dr Steven Lal (Nov 2009 - July 2013) ‘Metal complexes as catalysts for the synthesis of heterocycles’ He moved on to: Senior Scientist at Lonza |
Contact us
Dr. Silvia Díez-González
Department of Chemistry
Imperial College London
London
W12 0BZ
Email: s.diez-gonzalez@imperial.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20759 49699
