Simon Higgins Group Members
Contact details can be found HERE
Dr. Simon Higgins
Principle Investigator
Simon Higgins obtained his degree (1981) and Ph.D. (1984) from the University of Southampton. After postdoctoral work at the Universities of Leeds (1984-7) and Oxford (1987-9), he was appointed to a Lectureship in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, where he is currently a Reader. His research interests are in organic and molecular electronics, and in structure-property relationships in single molecule electrical properties.
Dr. Philip Donovan
Post Doctoral Research Assistant
I graduated with a BEng in Mechanical Systems and Design Engineering in 2003. After working for a year I returned to the University of Liverpool to do the elegantly titled MRes 'Physical Analysis of Biological Interactions at Surfaces', i.e. Biophysics. This led me into my PhD at the Surface Science Research Centre (also at Liverpool), where I worked under the supervision of Professor Rasmita Raval on the adsorption and self assembly of Co(II)-Tetraphenyl Porphyrin (Co-TPP) on Cu(110) (See publication below). I graduated in 2010. My research interests now revolve around the application of STM to study molecules adsorbed on ordered surfaces.
I currently work in the middle ground between the Higgins and Nichols groups, using STM to study the effect of medium on the conductance of thiophene molecules under environmentally controlled conditions.
In my spare time I enjoy walking, swimming and cycling and I've recently taken up web design. I play bass guitar and dabble in PC gaming and photography.
Publications
| Unexpected Deformations Induced by Surface Interaction and Chiral Self-Assembly of Co(II)-Tetraphenylporphyrin adsorbed on Cu(110): A combined STM and Periodic DFT study |
| P. Donovan, A. Robin, M. S. Dyer, M. Persson and R. Raval |
| Chemistry-a European Journal, 2010, 16, 38, 11498. (Inside Cover) |
Ms Carly Brooke
PhD Student
I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2008 with an MChem in Chemistry, having spent my third year doing a placement at GlaxoSmithKline. I completed a fourth year organic synthesis project in the Higgins group and decided to continue in the same area for my PhD. During my PhD I have also branched into the measurement side of the research, including STM, PM-IRRAS and cyclic voltammetry.
In my spare time I enjoy rock climbing, running and have recently started participating in triathalons!
PhD Student
I am a physical chemist, graduating from Bangor University in 2009 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, I continued my education by returning to Bangor University to complete a Masters degree in Analytical Chemistry specialising in Molecular Electronics supervised by Prof. G. Ashwell. This led me to begin my PhD in the chemistry department at the University of Liverpool beginning in November 2010.
I currently work in the Higgins group and am involved in synthesis as well as electrical characterisation of the required molecules.
In my spare time I like to have fun and spend time with my family and friends!