Anna Croft

Professor Anna Croft serves as Professor of Disruptive Chemistries and Programme Director for Bioengineering at Loughborough University, leading research focused on sustainable chemical production to achieve Net Zero targets through innovative solvent systems, biological processes, and machine learning-enhanced predictive modeling.

Her academic foundation includes:

• BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Adelaide
• Honours in Organic Chemistry, University of Adelaide
• PhD in Protein Free Radical Formation, Australian National University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Coenzyme B₁₂ Chemistry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Her research program integrates computational and experimental approaches across ionic liquids, radical enzymology, and sustainable 3D printing to disrupt conventional chemical manufacturing. Key initiatives include distributive manufacturing with renewable feedstocks, protein behavior in low-water solvents, and leveraging radical SAM enzymes for novel industrial chemistries, with significant contributions to tuberculosis drug discovery via the World Community Grid.

Recent publications reveal a cohesive trajectory toward sustainable chemical engineering, emphasizing biocatalysis in non-aqueous media, advanced reactor design through additive manufacturing, and computational modeling of radical enzymes—bridging chemical engineering, biochemistry, and materials science to address global sustainability challenges.

Her recognitions include:

• Dean’s Prize (2014)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

With extensive curriculum design experience across all academic levels, she has developed laboratory programs, problem-based learning courses, and degree structures for Biochemistry/Chemical Engineering programs, while delivering doctoral training in sustainable process design and interdisciplinary engineering for scientists. Her leadership extends to the Disruptive Chemistries group, which maintains active collaborations with UNSW, AstraZeneca, and the University of Nottingham to advance biorenewable chemical production and sustainable manufacturing solutions.