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

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

Lin Miao graduated in 2024 from University of Southampton with a BSc in Chemistry. From 2024, as an MRes student in the Green Chemistry course at Imperial College London, Lin is deeply committed to exploring sustainable solutions and innovations in chemical processes. His project is co-supervised by Dr Rob Davies.

Jiayan SHEN, MRes in Nanomaterials

Shen Jiayan graduated from Ningbo University (China) with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 2023 where she carried out a research project on improving the performance of lithium battery cathode materials. Jiayan graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with a MSci in Analytical Chemistry the following year and she is now a MRes in Nanomaterials student in the Department where she is studyin the application of plasma Cu in the remediation of nitrogen oxides. This project is c-supervised by Dr Andreas Kafizas.

Undergraduate students

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.

Matei SITARU, MSci student

Originally from Romania, Matei is currently studying for a MSci in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at Imperial. His current project explores the use of triazolines to access various molecules from substituted carbonyl to heterocyclic compounds. In his spare time, Matei enjoys playing table tennis and having coffee with friends.

Raelene RACHMAT, MSci student

Raelene is  from Indonesia. Her current project explores the dehydrogenation of N-heterocyclic compounds in various polar media. Outside of chemistry, she enjoys exploring London and trying new restaurants.

2024-25 BSci students: Vivienne CADOGAN, Joel COLYER & Ryan WILKINS