Melen Research Group
Advancing Main Group Chemistry
Ola Gorecka (2023-)
Ola received her 1st class MChem degree in Medicinal Chemistry with Pharmacology from the University of Liverpool in 2023. She completed her 3rd-year project working on the prediction of gel properties using machine learning under the supervision of Prof. Neil Berry and her master's project on the synthesis of proline-derived N-oxides via N-alkylation of hydroxylamine with Dr. Ian O'Neil. Ola joined Melen group in the summer of 2023 to work on a project funded by GEO specialty chemicals after which she began her PhD studies focusing on the application of main group Lewis acids in organic synthesis.
Recent Publication: “Oxidative rearrangement of alkynes to chiral α-arylalkanoic esters”, Chem. Sci., 2026, 17, 1318.
Taylor Wilde (2023-)
Taylor joined the Melen group in 2023 after completing her MChem Chemistry with Drug Discovery degree at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. In her Masters project, she worked under Dr Catherine Weetman synthesising hemi labile alkoxytethered NHC aluminium complexes and explored their catalytic profile and ability to activate small molecules. As a PhD student, Taylor is investigating sustainable catalysis for clean growth – CO2 activation using FLPs as part of the prosperity partnership funded by BP.
Recent Publication: “Synthesis and structure of group 13 POCOP complexes”, Inorg. Chem., 2026, 65, 8289.
Tanmay Kanji (2023-)
Tanmay obtained his MSc from the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar in 2022. He completed his master's project under the supervision of Dr. Prabal Banerjee. As a master's project, he explored strain carbocycles for several organic transformations. Now as a collaborative PhD student in Morrill group and Melen group, he is investigating “New Opportunities in Enantioselective Catalysis Using Lewis Acidic Boranes”.
Recent Publication: “Catalytic stereoselective intermolecular fluoroacylation of unactivated alkynes via C–F bond reconstruction”, Org. Lett., 2026, 28, 12659.
Darwin Mak (2024-)
Darwin completed his MSci at UCL under Prof. Sheppard in 2023. The project explored the possibility of oxetane formation from epoxide using organoboron catalysis. Darwin joined Melen group in 2025 to explore the main group catalysis and electrochemistry with Wirth group on a Leverhulme Trust project.
Recent Publication: “Hydrogen bonding interactions in HFIP enabling the cascade synthesis of sulfenylated 2H-chromenes”, Chem. Commun., 2026, 62, 14821.
Parth Bhavsar (2025-)
Parth completed his MSc in Chemistry with Distinction at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune in 2024. He completed his master’s project under the supervision of Dr. Shabana Khan. As a part of her organometallic lab, he explored the synthesis and reactivity of low valent main group elements with special focus towards the synthesis of borocations and their applications in transformations including cyanosilylation and CO2 hydroboration. Now as a PhD student in the Melen group he is exploring the reactivity of borane Lewis acids and FLPs in organic transformations.
Peony Ye (2026-)
Peony undertook their undergraduate studies at Kingston University, London (1st class). This was followed by an MRes in Catalysis and Engineering at Imperial College London where they were part of Professor Martyn McLachlan's materials Research Group. Having previously explored various subcategories of materials science, including intercalation chemistry and semiconductor nanomaterials, their current project now focuses on the synthesis and reactivity of novel Group 15 compounds.
Noa Deweer (2026-)
Noa obtained a 1st class MChem degree from Cardiff University. During his Masters project, he worked in Prof. Wirth's group investigating the electric-field enabled flow synthesis of pyrrolidinones from epoxides. In July 2026, he joined the Melen group to work on a Leverhulme Trust funded project investigating the synthesis and reactivity of chalcogen containing Frustrated Lewis Pairs
Tomas Jeans (2026-)
Tomas completed his MChem at Cardiff University achieving a 1st class degree. During his Masters project he worked in the Melen group investigating HFIP mediated reactions. In October 2026 he joined the Melen group to work on an funded project investigating frustrated radical pair chemistry.
Recent Publication: “Hydrogen bonding interactions in HFIP enabling the cascade synthesis of sulfenylated 2H-chromenes”, Chem. Commun., 2026, 62, 14821.
Sophie Farrugia (2026-)
Sophie joined the Melen group in 2026 after obtaining her 1st class MChem degree at the University of Strathclyde. During her studies, she completed a placement year at API Transfer Technologies. The research involved practical and computational research into the surface properties of products and the thermo/solvatochromatic responses of dyes. In her Master's year, she worked within Dr David Nelson's group on nickel-catalysed desulfurative methods to convert diaryl sulfides into biaryls. Her EPSRC funded PhD research centres on electrochemical frustrated radical pair chemistry
Sarbojit Das (2026-)
Sarbojit is from West Bengal, India. He is currently pursuing his PhD in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, India, under the supervision of Prof. Rajarshi Samanta. His doctoral research focuses on "Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Ring Remodeling and Site-Selective Arylation of Oxindoles: Synthesis of Substituted Indoles, Benzocarbazoles, and Biaryl Fragment of TMC-95A". His research interests include organometallic chemistry, diazo-compound chemistry, skeletal editing, and late-stage functionalization of complex molecules. He is currently visiting Cardiff University to explore new research directions in organic as well as in inorganic chemistry.
Ellis Bushal (2025-)
Ellis is currently in his 4th year at Cardiff University as part of an MChem course. He joined the Melen research group as part of his MChem project in October 2026 where he is currently working on coordinating aluminium (I & III) to NNN ligands.
Amelia Golus (2025-)
Amelia joined the Melen group in October 2026 as part of her master's project. She is focusing on the development of main-group BPI and Carbazole catalysts, particularly looking at aluminium complexation. During her third year, she completed a placement at Ontario Tech University in Canada. Here, her research focused on the development of novel fluorometric and colorimetric sensors for heavy metal ions in aqueous systems.
Indium (2014-) and Arian (2022-)
Indium (born 2006) and Arian (Arian is Welsh for "Silver") (born 2022) are Norwegian Fjord horses. Their interests lie in anything food-related (hay, carrots, mints).
A horse walks into a bar. “Hey,” says the barman. “Yes please,” says the horse.
PhD Students:
Melen Research Group members
Professor Rebecca L. Melen
2004-2012 University of Cambridge, UK (PhD, MA, MSci, BA)
2012-2013 University of Toronto, Canada (postdoc)
2013-2014 Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Germany (Humboldt fellow)
2014-2017 Cardiff University, UK (Lecturer)
2017-2019 Cardiff University, UK (Senior Lecturer)
2019-2021 Cardiff University, UK (Reader)
2021- Cardiff University, UK (Professor)
Honorary Group Members:
Postdocs:
Joseph Hughes (2026-)
Joseph completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Prof. Zoe Pikramenou. His research focused on the development of luminescent iridium(III) and osmium(II) complexes for imaging and sensing, as well as their incorporation into micelles and gold nanoparticles for potential biomedical applications. Following his PhD, he joined Cardiff University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate working with Prof. Simon Pope and Dr Emma Richards. In July 2026, he took up a Lectureship in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry at Cardiff University, covering Prof. Rebecca Melen's maternity leave. His research interests include coordination chemistry, photophysical properties of transition metal complexes, and the development of functional materials for sensing and biomedical applications.
Recent Publication: “Near infra-red luminescent osmium labelled gold nanoparticles for cellular imaging and singlet oxygen generation”, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 16500.
Tribani Boruah (2026-)
Tribani joined the group in 2026 on a Leverhulme Trust project on Group 16 Frustrated Lewis Pair chemistry. She previously undertook her PhD in the Melen group on an industrial project with TOK (Japan) and Dr. Alberto Roldan Martinez (Cardiff). During her master's, she interned at the University of Delhi, working on furan-derived heterocycles.
MChem Students:
BSc Students:
Maternity Cover:
