Dr Chris Murnaghan
Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
Biology
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6550-9703 Profile
Biography
I completed my MSc and PhD at Queen’s University Belfast both working in the area of green chemistry and biomass valorisation. Following my PhD I was a PDRA working on RSC and Bryden Centre funded projects working on the elucidation of photocatalytic mechanisms and reductive catalytic fractionation respectively. Following this I secured a role as a teaching fellow (and subsequently programme director) designing and taking through to PEM the PGT MSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering which had its first intake in September 2024.
I am interested and have expertise in the area of biomass reforming using various catalytic methods, including enzymatic, photocatalytic and reductive catalytic fractionation using precious metals. The ultimate goal of this research is to produce value-added monoaromatics from natural resources like raw lignin.
Alongside this I have a keen interest in exploiting photochemical reactions for synthetic purpose with particular attention being paid to UV irradiation-induced transfer hydrogenation reactions and also Norrish reactions.
The other focus of my research is modelling biomass using synthetic organic chemistry, the purpose of this is to enhance the chances of producing a catalytic system which can be optimised for selectivity and yield.
I am open to applications for self-funded MRes and PhD students.
I have taught on a range of courses including aromatic chemistry and spectroscopy, C-C bond formation, pharmacology and protein chemistry.