After completing his Pharmaceutical Sciences degrees research project from the University of Hertfordshire, Toby knew he wanted to pursue a research-based career. His PhD combines microbiology and chemical engineering which compliments his expertise in synthetic chemistry. This project combines the supervisory expertise from UH, UCL and Dstl which brings skills and knowledge from various disciplines.

What are you working on within the Hub?

My research aims to develop a novel approach for pathogen detection utilising hydrogel-integrated biosensors. The preliminary focus is on comparing existing immunoassays and molecular assays and assessing their efficacy and inclusivity, employing MS2 bacteriophage as a simulant. These will then be implemented into hydrogels where the same parameters will be evaluated to compare the different methods and find the one with most promise.

What is the impact of your research so far?

As a first-year student, my main responsibility has been gathering all past and current information and compiling it to fuel my future work, looking to explore a suitable assay to develop and miniaturise to be implemented into hydrogels.

What has been the highlight of your research career to date?

I have really enjoyed learning microbiology from scratch and studying the various assay types and lab skills associated with them, as well as being able to use my chemistry background to explore the biological work from a different angle. I also like poster creation and am a keen designer so I’m hoping to experience this.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy going to concerts and the theatre when I can. I also like being active, such as going to the gym and horse-riding.