معرفی
Daniel Whelligan is a Senior Lecturer in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Surrey's School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. He serves as Departmental Assessments Officer (2019-present) and has previously held leadership roles as MSc Drug Discovery Programme Director (2011-2015) and MRes Chemistry Programme Director (2015-2019). As a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC), he maintains active engagement with the professional chemistry community.
His educational background includes a MSci degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge (Churchill College) in 2000, followed by a PhD from the University of Durham on silenes (Si=C) in novel organic synthetic methods. His postdoctoral career featured an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship at RWTH Aachen University with Professor Carsten Bolm, research at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics with Professor Mark von Itzstein, and work at the Institute of Cancer Research with Dr. Swen Hoelder on cancer target inhibitors.
Dr. Whelligan's research program focuses on applying organic synthesis to address biological questions and advance alkaline fuel cell and electrolyser technology. His work spans three major areas: (1) developing inhibitors of DNA repair enzyme Aag for potential therapeutic applications; (2) investigating the mechanism of mycolactone, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer; and (3) designing novel membrane head groups for alkaline fuel cells and electrolysers. His research bridges fundamental chemistry with practical applications in drug discovery and sustainable energy technologies.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes, with particular focus on optimizing membrane properties for CO2 electrolysis applications. His work demonstrates expertise in manipulating membrane chemistry to improve water management, ionic conductivity, and stability under operational conditions. The research shows a clear trajectory toward developing more efficient and durable materials for electrochemical energy conversion systems.
Dr. Whelligan has secured significant research funding including EPSRC grants [EP/T009233/1, EP/R044163/1, EP/M005933/1] and Horizon 2020 EU funding [851441], demonstrating the impact and relevance of his work in the energy sector. His Royal Society Research Grant [RG140689] and earlier EPSRC support [EP/I000992/1] highlight the interdisciplinary nature of his research spanning chemistry, biology, and materials science.
He currently supervises three PhD students (Isobel Beard, Nermin Ener, and Matthew Burrell) in the Joseph Kenyon laboratory, which features 24 state-of-the-art double fume cupboards, spectroscopy suite, and cold room. His research group benefits from departmental resources including 500 and 400 MHz NMR spectrometers, an Agilent 6550 QToF LCMS, and various other analytical instruments essential for modern chemical research.
