Ben Fenton
- Email: cm20bf@leeds.ac.uk
- Thesis title: Synthetic Approaches to Superselective Targeting of Glycocalyces
- Supervisors: Professor Bruce Turnbull, Dr Ralf Richter
Profile
I graduated with an MNatSci here at the University of Leeds in 2024, focusing on the interface between chemistry and biochemistry. My Master’s Project, under Dr Megan Wright and Dr Anton Calabrese, was the development of novel reagents for crosslinking-mass spectrometry, using chemical synthesis to create tools for biological analysis. I started my PhD in October 2024, under Prof. Bruce Turnbull and Dr Ralf Richter, researching synthetic polymer backbones for use as superselective probes for the glycocalyx. This work will combine synthetic chemistry, polymer science, protein expression and biophysical analysis to produce and characterise tools for cellular targeting. Alongside my research, I am the chair of the PG Chemistry Society and a member of the School of Chemistry’s EDI committee.
Research interests
- Chemical Biology
- Organic Synthesis
- Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design
- Bioinformatics
- Sustainability
- Pedagogy of Chemistry
Qualifications
- MNatSci Natural Sciences, University of Leeds