Victoria Coker

Victoria Coker is a Lecturer in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester. Her research focuses on microbial-driven nanomaterial synthesis, particularly using Fe(III)-reducing bacteria to produce functional magnetite nanoparticles for environmental remediation and industrial applications. She leads the Molecular Environmental Science research group within the Manchester Environmental Research Institute and contributes to initiatives like the Dalton Nuclear Institute.

Key research areas include bio-nanotechnology for sustainable manufacturing, metal recovery from industrial waste, and microbial mineralization processes. She has pioneered methods for doping magnetite with metals (Co, Ni, Mn, Zn) to enhance catalytic properties, and developed biogenic nanomaterials for applications in catalysis and electronics.

Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy (SDG7), industry innovation (SDG9), and responsible consumption (SDG12). Notable projects include 'Engineering biology for critical metal recovery from industrial wastestreams' (2024–2026), aiming to upscale microbial production systems for resource recovery.

Awarded the Max Hey Medal (2016) for contributions to geochemistry, and L'Oreal Fellowship (2011), she serves on editorial boards (e.g., Scientific Reports) and professional committees including the Royal Society. Her lab has produced over 60 peer-reviewed articles and 5 datasets on biomineralization processes.