Background

Charlie received a First Class Masters of Chemistry (with an industrial placement year) from the University of Sussex (2015). In 2017, he gained a Masters of Research in Ultra Precision Engineering from the University of Cambridge, before moving on to a PhD where he is currently in his final year working within the Nanomanufacturing research group of Professor Michael De Volder at the Institute for Manufacturing.

During academic life, Charlie has worked within astrochemical projects, next-generation metrological instrument design and numerous formulation and material laboratories. This included 12 months in The Netherlands working as a Formulation Intern devising and scaling ecologically friendly next-generation detergents. Outside academia, Charlie has held a multitude of communications&media, logistics and organisational roles for a diverse array of clients and audiences. Research and life interests revolve around sustainability, protection of the natural world and a desire to be a net positive to those around him.

Charlie’s PhD project finds him working in collaboration with the Bio-inspired Photonics group of Professor Silvia Vignolini, working with a photonic, biodegradable and industrially-scaled material (hydroxypropyl cellulose), showcasing the efficacy of its photonic application outside the lab environment. For more information, see Charlie's project page.

At the University of Cambridge, Charlie is the elected Green Officer for the Wolfson College Student Association (WCSA), Founder and President of the Green Society of Wolfson College, Co-convenor of the Sustainability & Conservation Interdisciplinary Research Hub, and was awarded the Student Leadership Award from the Universities Energy & Environment Section.