Group Lead
Dr Helen Cauldbeck
Helen is a Unilever Research Fellow and head of the Radiomaterials Laboratory within the Department of Chemistry. She is a radiochemist with over 13 years’ research experience working at the interface of materials chemistry and nanomedicine. Helen’s current research focuses on the development of novel in vitro and ex vivo models to monitor drug delivery from therapeutic microneedle arrays, as well as other polymeric drug delivery platforms. Her focus on the use of radiometrics for the development of drug delivery platforms allows further understanding of formulation processes.
Group members
Elliot Croft
Elliot obtained an MChem degree in Medicinal Chemistry with Pharmacology. During his undergraduate studies, Elliot undertook research projects focusing on polymer synthesis and controlling the size of inorganic nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery. Elliot joined the University of Liverpool Doctoral Network in Technologies for Health Ageing with his PhD, to focus on the development of dissolvable microneedle arrays (DMNs) for nanomedicine delivery for the treatment of glaucoma. These DMNs were designed using FDA approved polymers, optimising their chemical and mechanical properties for drug administration.
Katie Ollerton
Prior to her PhD, Katie received a First-class Masters in Chemistry from the University of Liverpool, during which she was awarded the Society of Chemical Industry’s Leverhulme Prize for the best performing graduating student. Her keen interest in materials chemistry was developed through projects and internships during her degree leading to her first review article titled "Enabling Technology for Supramolecular Chemistry.” From this experience, Katie decided to continue her studies through the industrially funded PhD in collaboration with Unilever investigating the impact of formulation parameters on deodorant microstructures and the delivery of active ingredients through the skin. In June 2024 Katie was awarded an 1851 Industrial Fellowship.