Dr Michael Cook – Lecturer in Pharmaceutics
Dr Michael Cook is a Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at the UCL School of Pharmacy. He was born in 1988 at UCL Hospital and took a mere 35 years to return. He was awarded his PhD from the University of Reading in 2013, under the supervision of Professor Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy and Professor Dimitrios Charalampopoulos. In 2015 he moved to his first lectureship, in the School of Life and Medical Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire. By 2021 he was a Reader in Thermoresponsive Polymers and Head of Pharmaceutics. He moved to UCL in January 2023. Mike is OK at making polymers, can just about fit SANS data, and will fiddle about with robots if he has to.
Mike’s favourite song is Raining Blood by Slayer.
Dr Eleanor Hilton – Research Fellow
Co-supervisor: Dr Cecile Dreiss (KCL). Funded by the Leverhulme Trust
Eleanor is a postdoctoral researcher at UCL School of Pharmacy. She completed an MChem at the University of Leeds in 2018. After graduating, she worked for two years in the cosmetics and biopharmaceutics industries. In 2020, she began her PhD at the University of Leeds under the supervision of Dr. Nick Warren and Prof. Andy Wilson, specialising in supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, and polymer chemistry.
Eleanor joined the Cook group in 2023 to synthesise a never-ending stream of thermoresponsive block copolymers and occasionally fix the GPC.
In her free time Eleanor enjoys swimming, going to music festivals, travelling and trying out new arts and crafts. She couldn’t possibly pick a favourite song but her favourite fruit is a kiwi.
(photo by Xinyuan)
Dr Robert Bolt – Research Fellow
Co-Supervisor: Dr David Shorthouse. Funded by the EPSRC.
Robert Bolt is a postdoctoral researcher at the UCL School of Pharmacy. He graduated from Cardiff University in 2020 with an MChem in Chemistry. Before embarking on a PhD at UCL under the guidance of Professor Duncan Browne, pioneering the field of mechanochemistry to synthesize small molecules.
In 2024, he transitioned to the Cook lab to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and automation for accelerated drug discovery (whilst secretly plotting the robot uprising).
Rob’s favorite song is “Searchlight” by Phillip Phillips.
Niamh Haslett – PhD Researcher
Co-Supervisors: Prof Stewart Kirton (Lincoln), Dr Jesus Calvo-Castro (whereabouts unknown). Funded by the Hertfordshire Science Partnership and Animal-Free Research UK.
Niamh is a PhD student based at both the University of Hertfordshire and University College London.
Niamh was awarded her BSc Hons in Pharmaceutical Science with a year in industry in 2020, in the height of the pandemic. After being stuck back in Ireland for 6 months, and moving back to London by way of a few odd jobs, Niamh came back to Herts as a technician. This led her to landing a multidisciplinary PhD with a few familiar faces. Her PhD is sponsored by Animal Free Research UK, a charity she had previously completed a research placement with. Her project aims to develop smart macromolecular devices for opioid detection without the use of any animal derived biomaterials.
Outside of work, you’ll usually catch Niamh conducting experiments within the field of baking, at yoga, or eating her way around a new city.
Niamh’s current favourite song is Unknown/Nth by Hozier, but it changes every 5 seconds!
Antonia Gucic – PhD Researcher
Co-supervisors: Dr David Shorthouse, Dr Chris Waudby. Funded by the EPSRC CDT in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies [EP/S023054/1].
Antonia is a PhD student at the UCL School of Pharmacy, under the Centre for Doctoral Training in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies. She was awarded her MPharm from King’s College London in 2020, and in 2021 she registered as a pharmacist with the GPhC. Her project is trying to develop a machine learning model to predict solubility of drugs in micellar systems.
Antonia’s favourite piece is the Adagio (II.) movement of W. A. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in the interpretation of Hélène Grimaud.
Shuting Li – PhD Researcher
Co-supervisors: Dr Rachael Dickman, Prof Duncan Craig, Prof Steve Brocchini
A PhD student in Mike’s gang, working on microgels as a basis for affinity delivery of protein drugs at UCL.
Graduated from Zhejiang University in 2019 with a BSc degree in Pharmacy and completed MSc Pharmaceutics at UCL in 2020.
It’s impossible to pick one favourite song!
(Photo by Xinyuan as well)
Xinyuan Jia – PhD Researcher
Co-supervisor: Dr David Shorthouse.
Xinyuan Jia is a PhD student based in the UCL Cook Lab. Under the supervision of Dr. Mike Cook and Dr. David Shorthouse, she’s focusing on developing UCST polymers and their potential for new applications in pharmaceutical & biological sciences. Xinyuan holds double BSc degrees from Queen’s University Belfast and China Medical University, and completed a MSc in Pharmaceutics at UCL in 2023. Before returning to UCL in 2024 to pursue her PhD, she gained experience as an associate consultant in medical industry.
Xinyuan is also a cat lover, an amateur photographer, and a known game freak who is willing to talk about any of these anytime.
Xinyuan’s old time favorite song is Fly Me to the Moon cover by The Macarons Project.
Jamie Summers – PhD Researcher
Co-supervisor: Prof Ian Johnston (University of Hertfordshire). Funded by the EPSRC CDT in Aerosol Science, affiliated with DSTL.
James Summers is a PhD student studying with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science. He is based between the University of Hertfordshire and UCL. James graduated from the University of Nottingham with an MSci degree in Chemistry in 2019. He went on to work for the NHS and Siemens Healthineers, before returning to education to pursue his current degree in 2023. His project focuses on engineering hydrogels for use as next-generation collection materials for bioaerosols of concern.
James’ favourite song is London Calling by The Clash.
Hessam Rasooli Nia – PhD Researcher
Co-supervisor: Prof Darragh Murnane (University of Hertfordshire). Funded by the EPSRC CDT in Aerosol Science.
Hessam Rasooli Nia is a PhD student at the University of Hertfordshire and University College London. He completed his Master of Pharmacy degree at the University of Hertfordshire, some may say being taught by Mike was so nice, he had to do it twice!
Under supervision of Dr Michael Cook and Professor Darragh Murnane, his PhD focuses on development of smart thermo-responsive and shear-thinning polymeric formulations for next-generation systemic and nose-to-brain nasal drug delivery.
When he is not in the labs, you can find Hessam cheering on the mighty Barnet Football Club, or at a Lego store contemplating if he can fit another model in his living space…
Hessam’s favourite song changes every week but September by Earth, Wind & Fire is always up there!
Helena Ros – PhD Researcher
Co-supevisors: Dr David Shorthouse and Prof Paul Dalby. Funded by the CDT in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies, Sponsored by Croda.
Helena Ros is a PhD student on the CDT in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies. She completed a BSc in Neuroscience at the University of Bristol followed by an MRes in Biosciences at UCL School of Pharmacy and decided to stick around UCL for her PhD. Helena’s project is on machine learning driven robotic formulation of high concentration biologic formulations and is supervised by Dr Mike Cook, Dr David Shorthouse and Prof. Paul Dalby.
When not playing with robots, you’ll find Helena with her head stuck in a book, at yoga, or playing the piano.
Helena can’t pick a favourite song but her favourite colour is blue.
(photo by Xinyuan)
Luyao Wang – PhD Researcher
Primary Supervisor: Professor Gareth Williams (UCL)
Luyao holds double BSc degrees from Queen’s University Belfast and China Medical University. She completed a MSc in Pharmaceutics at UCL in 2023. Her PhD studies electrospun fibres using small-angle neutron scattering. When she’s free, she likes to stay home and play computer games.
Alexandra (Lexie) Howard – PhD Researcher
Supervisors: Dr Jonathan Burley (University of Nottingham), Dr Giuseppe Mantovani (University of Nottingham) and Dr Michael Cook (University College London). Funded by the EPSRC CDT (Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies).
Lexie was awarded her BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology from Newcastle University in 2021 and in 2022 an MSc from Nottingham University in Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Continuing to stay at Nottingham University, now is a PhD student, focusing on the development of bespoke polymers for the formulation of an amorphous solid dispersion, working with AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
Lexie enjoys many sports, reading and history.
Toyosi Akande – PhD Researcher
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Darragh Murnane (University of Hertfordshire). Funded by the EPSRC CDT in Aerosol Science.
Toyosi Akande is a PhD student studying with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science, based between the University of Hertfordshire and University College London. She completed an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Brighton and a MRes in Biomedical Research in Respiratory and Cardiovascular Science at Imperial College London. Under supervision of Dr Laura Urbano, Dr Michael Cook and Professor Darragh Murnane, her PhD focuses on Dry Water for future inhaled medicines (a beautiful oxymoron).
Toyosi’s favourite song is hard to pick from a range of Christian music, but Big – Live by Pastor Mike Jr, is always on repeat!
Marissa Taub – PhD Researcher
Primary Supervisor: Prof Abdul Basit (UCL). Funded by the EPSRC CDT in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies.
Marissa Taub is possibly the greatest PhD student ever studying at UCL under the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies. She received her B.S. in Biomolecular Engineering from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2017 and an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 2020 in the United States. Her PhD focuses on using stimuli-responsive polymers to create a local, retentive drug delivery platform to treat esophageal disorders under the supervision of Professor Abdul Basit, Dr Michael Cook, and Professor Sudax Murdan. Since starting her PhD in 2021, she has surpassed Mike’s SANS data fitting skills and is the bringer of immaculate vibes.
Outside of the lab, she can be found recreationally still bothering her labmates, gaming in the comfort of her overpriced flat, boxing, getting lost around London, and criticizing cooking shows despite her lack of skills and experience in the kitchen.
Marissa’s favorite song is Imagination by Foster The People.
Li Qian – PhD Researcher
Primary Supervisor: Dr Cecile Dreiss (KCL). Funded by the Chinese Scholarship Council
Li Qian is a PhD student at King’s College London and University College London under the supervision of Dr Cecile Dreiss and Dr Michael Cook. Her PhD focuses on the thermoresponsive gels for nasal drug delivery. She completed an undergraduate degree at Imperial College London and a master’s degree at University College London, focusing on material science and biomaterials.
Li spends her free time playing the piano and reading social science or ancient Chinese poetry. She likes all R&B songs.
(Photo by Xinyuan)
Dr Abhishek Rajbanshi – visiting scientist/honorary group member for life
Dr Abhishek Rajbanshi is a Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at the University of Hertfordshire and a Visiting Scientist at University College London, School of Pharmacy. He completed his PhD in Pharmaceutics at the University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with University College London and King’s College London under the supervision of Dr Michael Cook, Professor Darragh Murnane, and Dr Cecile Dreiss.
Abhishek Rajbanshi hails from Nepal, home to the world’s tallest peaks – but he hasn’t climbed any of them yet. It’s on his bucket list!
Occasionally, the Cook Polymer Lab echoes with the sounds of Abhishek playing Megadeth, Metallica, and Iron Maiden on his phone – because every experiment needs a killer soundtrack! But hand him a drink, and the volume turns down for the smooth sounds of Deep Purple, Scorpions, and Pink Floyd.
The Cook Lab 