Chair

Dan Rainer

[email protected] - University of Southampton

My role is to represent the interests of the early stage crystallographers to the wider community.

I am a senior specialist technician for electron diffraction (RTP) at the University of Southampton and in charge of the electron diffraction facility. We run as part of the National Electron Diffraction Facility (NEDF), a joint venture with the University of Warwick, providing access to 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) to researchers within the UK, as well as international collaborators, and industry. My background is in synthesis and characterisation of porous materials (zeolites, MOFs, …), especially using electron microscopy, but now determine crystal structures using 3D ED across all of areas chemistry as part of the national service.


Deputy Chair

Sam Lewis

[email protected] - European XFEL

My role is to support the chair in representing the membership and engaging with the public.

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Femtosecond X-ray Experiments (FXE) instrument at European XFEL in Hamburg Germany. My research revolves around the use of synchrotron and XFEL facilities to conduct time-resolved measurements to investigate dynamic processes in molecular systems. I am particularly interested in the development of sample preparation, data collection, and data processing techniques to make these studies feasible. Previously, I did my PhD under the supervision of Dr Lauren Hatcher at Cardiff University and Dr Mark Warren at Diamond Light Source.


Secretary/Treasurer

Olivia Breen

[email protected] - University College Dublin

My role is helping the ESCG run smoothly in both communication and monetary matters.

I am a PhD student in Dr. Tony Keene’s group at University College Dublin in Ireland. My research focuses on the exploration of alternative iron based cathodes for lithium ion batteries. A large portion of my research involves characterising the materials I’ve made using X-ray diffraction.


Equality and Diversity Officer

Emma Hawking

[email protected] - Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre

My role is to promote equality and reduce discrimination within the ESCG.

Webmaster

Eliza Dempsey

[email protected] - Trinity College Dublin

My role is maintaining the website and social media of the ESCG.

I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Watson group at Trinity College Dublin. My work uses computational modelling to explore structure and surface properties of solid-state materials for applications such as electrocatalysis. I completed my PhD on negative thermal expansion and phase transitions in 2025 with Dr James Cumby at the University of Edinburgh. I’m interested in all things solid-state materials, powder diffraction and structure-property relationships. I am also committed to making science more inclusive for woman and other under-represented groups in STEM and promoting science to a broader audience through effective communication.


BSG Representative

Jake Hill

[email protected] - University of Bradford

I am currently a PhD Student at the University of Bradford, under the supervision of Dr Briony Yorke. My research focuses on using time-resolved crystallography to understand how the eye lens proteins (Crystallins) respond to UV photodamage and how this ultimately contributes to the formation of cataracts.


CCG Representative

Lewis Jackson

[email protected] - University of Kent

IG Representative

Yaser Balmohammadi

[email protected] - Cardiff University

PCG Representative

Gloria Gao

[email protected] - The Rosalind Franklin Institute

I am a PhD student at the Rosalind Franklin Institute/ University of Edinburgh. My work involves the use of electron diffraction and electron imaging to investigate the structure of microcrystals under pressure, working with samples ranging from 2D material, organic molecules and biomacromolecules.


Ordinary Members

Debashish Das

[email protected] - Cardiff University

Celine Beck

[email protected] - University of Glasgow/Diamond Light Source

I’m a joint PhD student in the Materials and Condensed Matter Physics Group at the University of Glasgow, and the I11 beamline at Diamond Light Source. I research barocaloric water-sorption transitions in various microporous crystalline materials such as MOFs, with the ultimate goal of developing more climate-friendly refrigerants. To this end, I use various materials characterisation techniques such as variable temperature and pressure X-ray powder diffraction, and high-pressure differential scanning calorimetry. To complement this, I am developing a hydrostatic liquid pressure cell at I11.


Sam Thompson

[email protected] - University of Durham

I am a PhD graduate from the Evans’ group at Durham University. My research has involved searching the Cambridge Structural Database for new molecular ferroelectric materials based on symmetry considerations. I then verify these predictions using variable temperature powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction


Gayathri Manoj

[email protected] - University of Leeds/Diamond Light Source

I’m a PhD student jointly funded by the University of Leeds and Diamond Light Source, working under the supervision of Dr Anuradha Pallipurath (University of Leeds), Dr Daniel Irving (I15-1 beamline), and Dr Lucy Saunders (I11 beamline). My research focuses on understanding the formation of squaric acid-based multicomponent organic materials using a combination of X-ray total scattering, powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. By developing correlative in situ crystallisation methods we aim to uncover how molecular conformations and structural dynamics evolve during nucleation and growth of these multicomponent organic systems.