Rebecca Walker

Dr. Rebecca Walker is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry within the School of Natural and Computing Sciences at the University of Aberdeen. She earned her MChem (2015) and PhD (2019) from the same institution, where her doctoral research focused on the structure-property relationships and chirality in the twist-bend nematic phase. Since January 2022, she has held an academic lectureship, teaching across organic, analytical, and physical chemistry, and supervising undergraduate research projects.

Education:

• MChem in Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, 2015
• PhD in Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, 2019

Her research centers on liquid crystal chemistry, particularly the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel mesogens exhibiting ferroelectric and twist-bend nematic phases. She investigates how molecular structure, fluorination, and conformational flexibility influence phase behavior and material properties. Her work bridges synthetic organic chemistry with physical and materials chemistry, contributing to fundamental understanding and potential applications in electro-optic devices.

Dr. Walker's recent publications (2023–2025) reveal a strong trend in exploring the ferroelectric nematic phase, with a focus on fluorine substituents, lateral chains, molecular shape, and terminal modifications. She frequently collaborates with leading researchers such as C.T. Imrie, J.M.D. Storey, and E. Gorecka. Her work appears in high-impact journals like Liquid Crystals, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, and Physical Review Letters.

Scientific Awards:

• Luckhurst-Samulski Prize for Best Paper in Liquid Crystals (2020)
• British Liquid Crystal Society Young Scientist of the Year (2020)
• University of Aberdeen Chemistry Center Medal (2015)
• City of Aberdeen Quincentenary Prize (2014)

Dr. Walker has secured competitive research funding, including a Royal Society of Edinburgh Small Research Grant (2024) and a Royal Society of Chemistry Researcher Development Grant (2023). She actively contributes to academic service as the Chair of the British Liquid Crystal Society (2024–present) and as the Chemistry Society Staff Representative at Aberdeen. She also serves on the Senatus Academicus as an elected member for the School of NCS (2023–2024).

She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC), the British Liquid Crystal Society, and the International Liquid Crystal Society. Her research group continues to explore new frontiers in liquid crystal materials, with ongoing work on molecular design, phase characterization, and structure-property correlations.