Laura Bickerton : from Oxford to Strasbourg to work on non-equilibrium systems in supramolecular chemistry

Can you tell us about your academic career so far and what led you to choose this area of research?
I completed my BSc in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry at the University of Nottingham where I first became passionate about supramolecular chemistry during lectures by Prof. Neil Champness. I also loved lab work which led me to pursue a PhD. under the supervision of Professors Matthew Langton and  Paul Beer at the University of Oxford, I worked on the design of halogen bonding and stimuli-responsive transmembrane transporters. This research integrated synthetic chemistry and physico-chemical analysis to elucidate how supramolecular design can be harnessed to control molecular function.
I then joined the Lusby group at the University of Edinburgh, I was interested in the role of metal–organic cages for catalysis, again the exploitation of supramolecular interactions. Now as a postdoc here in the group of Prof. Giulio Ragazzon, I am combining my previous expertise to investigate catalysis-driven non-equilibrium systems across lipid membranes.

What does the research environment at ISIS bring you (professionally and personally)? 
The research environment at ISIS offers a strong concentration of expertise in supramolecular chemistry, systems chemistry, and non-equilibrium phenomena. Professionally, this has allowed me to apply and extend my expertise, achieving challenging scientific goals through collaborations that would not have been possible anywhere else.

What are your wishes and plans for the future of your career?
My immediate goal is to consolidate my experience and broaden my skill set through impactful research at the interface of chemistry, biology, and physics. Looking ahead, I aim to pursue roles where I can apply rigorous scientific thinking, collaboration, and mentorship.

What do you like about your life in Strasbourg / in Alsace?
Strasbourg is a beautiful place to live in, and the international nature makes it easy to build connections within and beyond academia …and of course I cannot go without French bread!