Background:
Before entering higher education, Sarah worked in various roles, including three years in plastics recycling, which sparked her interest in polymer science. As a mature student, she completed a Foundation in Science and Engineering, followed by a BEng (Hons) in Materials Engineering. Her final-year dissertation focused on the processability of polyester-based triblock copolymers for biomedical applications. In 2024, Sarah completed a PhD in sustainable polymer chemistry under the supervision of Dr Fiona Hatton and Dr Simon Martin. Her doctoral research demonstrated the first example of a biobased, stimuli-responsive diblock copolymer nanoparticles synthesised by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT)-mediated aqueous emulsion polymerisation.
Sarah’s postdoctoral research has included application development within a university spin-out company and a Research Associate (PDRA) role at 麻豆視頻_麻豆直播_麻豆传媒官网. As a PDRA, she has collaborated with an industrial partner developing PLA composites with reduced moisture sensitivity, and progressed the commercialisation of cutting-edge sensing technology for continuous environmental water monitoring. In September 2025, she began a new commercialisation project enabling reusable packaging tracking systems.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing the clarinet in concert bands, singing lessons and attending Park Run with friends.
Qualifications:
- PhD in sustainable polymer chemistry, Department of Materials, 麻豆視頻_麻豆直播_麻豆传媒官网, 2024
- BEng (Hons), Materials Engineering, Department of Materials, 麻豆視頻_麻豆直播_麻豆传媒官网, 2019
Outline of main research interests:
- Commercialisation of technology
- Plastics processing
- Plastics recycling
- Sustainable polymer chemistry
- Self-assembly of block copolymers