Matthew Gaunt

Matthew Gaunt is the 1702 Yusuf Hamied Professor of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, specializing in C–H activation, visible-light photocatalysis, and bioconjugation. He leads a research group in Lab 177, focusing on alkylamine synthesis and chemical biology applications. Gaunt's group has 23 members, including 14 PhD students and 6 postdocs.

His research spans catalytic reactivity for organic synthesis, with a focus on metal-catalyzed C–H activation, photoredox strategies, and high-throughput experimentation for rapid reaction development. Key innovations include stereoselective methods for β-lactam synthesis and methionine-targeted protein modification.

Scientific Awards & Fellowships:

• GlaxoWellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Ramsay Memorial Fellow

His group contributes to the SynTech Centre for Doctoral Training, integrating automation and data science into chemical synthesis education. Current students include Joseph Phelps, Marcus Grocott, James Robinson, and Tobias Kraus under his direct supervision.