Dom graduated with a MSc in Chemistry from the University of Bristol in 2018, during which he undertook projects on computational chemistry (Prof. Fred Manby) and gold catalysis (Dr Chris Russell). He then undertook a PhD at the University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Prof. Stephen Thomas on group 13 exchange in catalysis. After graduating in 2022, he took up a postdoctoral with Prof. Lee Cronin at the University of Glasgow working on the automation of air- and moisture-sensitive chemistry, while also serving as leader of the Materials Discovery team. In 2023 he undertook a second postdoctoral position with Prof. Michael Ingleson at the University of Edinburgh, where he focussed on boron-mediated fluorination and computational chemistry. He was appointed as assistant professor of automation at Heriot-Watt University in 2024, where he explores ways to exploit automation and digital technologies to accelerate chemical discovery. Outside of work he gets little coffees and walks around Edinburgh with his partner Charlotte. He also climbs, cycles, and plays keyboard in a band while trying not to get scratched by his two cats (Beansprout and Parsnip).

Jordann graduated from the University of Sussex with an MChem in Chemistry after a short placement at Novartis and a research project on ruthenium NHC complexes (Dr Oscar Navarro). They completed a PhD with Prof. Polly Arnold on f-element chemistry at the University of Edinburgh in 2018, followed by a post-doc at Uppsala University, Sweden, working on phospha- and arsaalkene chemistry. In 2022, Jordann returned to the University of Edinburgh for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship under the supervision of Prof. Michael Cowley, focusing on reactive low oxidation state silicon and aluminium compounds. In the Willcox group, Jordann will build on their expertise in synthetic inorganic chemistry to develop novel routes to organosilicon building blocks. Outside of chemistry, Jordann enjoys hiking and cycling with their family, and spending time with their pets. When time allows, Jordann also plays tabletop games, and goes running and bouldering with friends.

Josef completed his undergraduate MChem degree at Lancaster University in 2025. During his time at Lancaster, he engaged in a research project with Dr Nicholas Evans and Dr Rebecca Spicer focusing on the self-assembly of pyridyl coordination capsules. Josef then undertook a joint project between Dr Jamie Docherty and Dr Rachel Platel for his MChem, investigating catalytic methods towards alkene hydroamination for the synthesis of complex amines. Josef moved to Heriot-Watt University and joined the Willcox group in 2025 to undertake his PhD, aiming to explore synthetic methodologies towards silicon-switch molecules. In his spare time, Josef enjoys playing cricket, darts, and swimming.

Originally from Edinburgh, Beansprout (Sprout) has never read Clayden and doesn’t want to learn any named reactions. He spends all day thinking about how to finally get that pigeon that sits on the roof of the house opposite. Once he stole a whole chicken thigh off the kitchen counter and wonders what could have been if he wasn’t caught.

Originally from Roslin, Parsnip (Snip) likes to talk about chemistry all day but sadly nobody can understand her contributions. A chronic in-the-way-aholic, Snip’s hobbies include sitting on top of doors and walking around on the floor with the lights off.