8 March 2025 – As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, iCAST is proud to celebrate the work of three leading researchers who are transforming the future of sustainable manufacturing, engineering materials, and advanced chemical processes. Dr Hannah Leese, Dr Kylie Vincent, and Dr Sooyeon Moon each play a pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of their respective fields, contributing to iCAST’s mission of accelerating sustainable innovation.
Innovating at the intersection of chemistry, engineering and healthcare
Dr Hannah Leese, co-leader of the iCAST core programme in Sustainable Engineering Materials, is a pioneering researcher in sensor technologies for early disease detection. Her research focuses on developing advanced materials and diagnostic technologies that have the potential to transform healthcare. Dr Leese’s work in non-invasive disease detection has been recognised with the IChemE Nicklin Medal, celebrating her outstanding contributions to chemical engineering and medical diagnostics. Key areas of her research include:
- Early disease detection: Developing cutting-edge biosensors that use electrochemical and optical sensing to identify disease biomarkers quickly and non-invasively.
- Point-of-care diagnostics: Creating portable, rapid-detection devices that could revolutionise health monitoring and patient care by making diagnostics more accessible and efficient.
- Sustainable sensor materials: Designing low-impact materials for next-generation diagnostics, aligning with iCAST’s commitment to sustainable innovation.
Beyond her research, Dr Leese is committed to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. She actively engages with industry partners and interdisciplinary teams to translate her research into practical applications that benefit society. Dr Leese is also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM. She mentors students from underrepresented backgrounds and participates in outreach programmes to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.
Innovating sustainable manufacturing through AI and automation
Dr Sooyeon Moon’s expertise lies in flow chemistry, machine learning, and automated synthesis. Collaborating closely with Dr Sourav Chatterjee at the University of Bath, Dr Moon is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence with chemical engineering to pave the way for sustainable manufacturing. Her multidisciplinary research is advancing:
- Flow chemistry and automated synthesis: Developing continuous flow systems and automated platforms to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of chemical processes.
- Machine learning for chemical processes: Implementing AI-driven models to predict reaction outcomes, optimize processes, and reduce waste in chemical manufacturing.
- Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) synthesis: Designing novel methodologies for the efficient and sustainable synthesis of APIs, crucial for the pharmaceutical industry.
- Chemical glycosylation: Advancing glycosylation techniques to streamline the production of glycosylated compounds, important in drug development and biological research.
- Research data management: Championing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles to ensure transparency and reproducibility in chemical research.
Excitingly, Dr Moon and Dr Chatterjee have recently launched SOM-C Ltd (www.som-c.com), a spin-out company delivering customised coding solutions for chemical and pharmaceutical applications. By combining their expertise in flow chemistry, machine learning, and automation, they are bringing digital solutions to both academia and industry. As new iCAST members, SOM-C Ltd is set to further strengthen our shared mission to drive sustainable innovation in chemical manufacturing.
Transforming manufacturing through enzyme-powered catalysis
As iCAST’s Programme Lead for Sustainable Manufacturing and an expert in enzymatic catalysis and sustainable chemical manufacturing, Professor Kylie Vincent works at the intersection of biocatalysis, electrochemistry, and green chemistry.
Professor Vincent’s research focuses on harnessing metalloenzymes – nature’s catalysts – to develop cleaner, more efficient chemical processes. By bridging the gap between bioinorganic chemistry, spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques, her work is paving the way for sustainable alternatives to traditional manufacturing methods. Her key contributions include:
- Enzyme-based catalysis for industry: Developing biocatalytic processes that use enzymes to activate small molecules like hydrogen, offering low-energy, waste-free alternatives to conventional chemical synthesis.
- Bridging chemistry and engineering: Combining spectroscopy and electrochemistry to reveal how metal-based enzymes drive complex chemical transformations, advancing both fundamental science and industrial applications.
- Sustainable hydrogenation technologies: Pioneering enzyme-driven hydrogenation reactions that can replace precious metal catalysts, reducing environmental impact in pharmaceutical and fine chemical production.
Professor Vincent’s work exemplifies how advanced enzymatic catalysis can transform industrial processes, making them cleaner, greener, and more efficient.
Dr Leese’s, Dr Sooyeon’s and Professor Vincent’s research not only advances scientific knowledge but also translates into real-world impact. At iCAST, we recognise the invaluable contributions of women in STEM, and on International Women’s Day, we celebrate these remarkable scientists leading the way.
