Rhoda Beskeni

Rhoda Beskeni serves as a Senior Research Associate in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of East Anglia, specializing in the molecular design and phase behavior of liquid crystalline materials. Her work bridges fundamental organic chemistry with advanced materials development.

Her research centers on liquid crystals, particularly discotic mesogens based on triphenylene cores. Key interests include structural manipulation of pentaalkoxytriphenylene derivatives to control columnar and nematic mesophase formation, with recent expansion into sustainable biomaterials. She investigates how molecular asymmetry and functional group placement dictate self-assembly properties in soft matter systems.

Dr. Beskeni's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to Liquid Crystals journal, revealing trends toward increasingly complex molecular architectures and practical applications. Her 2022 work identified critical structural parameters for mesophase stability, while her 2017 research established novel synthetic pathways for minimal-size mesogens.

She currently co-leads the Ceres Agri-Tech funded project Bioacrylic acid from seaweed (May 2025-November 2025) with Professors Hamilton and Todd, indicating strategic expansion into bio-derived polymers. Her international collaboration network spans multiple countries as evidenced by cross-border research mapping.

Within UEA's research ecosystem, Dr. Beskeni operates through the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology's materials chemistry division, contributing to both fundamental discovery and applied sustainable materials initiatives through active industry partnerships.