My project is about developing a continuous manufacturing platform for pharmaceuticals at a small or microfluidic scale. There are many steps involved in a pharmaceutical manufacturing process and this industry is the only one left that is still using batch processing. This is slow, inefficient and requires large amounts of toxic solvents, which then cannot be recycled due to strict regulations surrounding the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, especially in times of crisis such as the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, the need for efficient pharmaceutical production is urgent.
Making pharmaceutical processing continuous would make medicine available to a larger part of the population and would make remote regions in the world more prepared for times of crisis. My work right now focuses on crystallization of pharmaceutical ingredients on a microfluidic scale for the improvement of crystal production, shape and flowability.
I did an integrated master’s degree in chemical engineering at Loughborough University before starting my PhD.
During the third year of my master's, I had the opportunity to do a 6-month research project at INSA Toulouse, France, where I was introduced into the world of research and mainly microfluidics and bioengineering. I was able to investigate the effects of microchannel geometry on nanoparticle and bacteria phenomenon of spontaneous focusing inside microchannels, and the properties of flow within microchannels. This inspired me to investigate PhD opportunities in this area and it so happened that my department was offering a few projects connecting microfluidics and pharmaceuticals, which made this the best option available. Although I may have been more interested in bioengineering and processing, pharmaceuticals are closely related and are still one of my areas of interest.
I was looking at various PhD programmes, with a preference in projects in France, however, not all PhD projects are funded. I struggled to find one closely related to my interests in other countries, and Loughborough ticked both boxes for funding and my interests, therefore it was the best option available.
My main lab is located in S Building, home to the Chemical Engineering department. I work across a couple of labs within the building, have access to a 3D printer and different types of microscopes located in the lab. Some of my work also involves using the Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre’s equipment such as the SEM (scanning electron microscope), TEM (transmission electron microscope) or XRD (X-ray diffraction). I also do some 3D printing, so I can always ask for help from any of the technicians working in Wolfson in additive manufacturing.