Dr Stefano C G Biagini

Research chemist in organic, polymer and supramolecular chemistry with extensive experience of Higher Education teaching in Chemistry and Forensic Science and a specialism in Inclusivity and Accessibility best practice.

I am a graduate of the University of Exeter, where I remained to undertake my PhD in the synthesis aza-sugars as potential anti-HIV compounds, under the supervision of Professor Nicholas Turner. This was followed by postdoctoral research with Professor Michael North, in collaboration with Professor Vernon Gibson (FRS), which resulted in the synthesis of penicillin, amino acid and peptide bio-monomers for the ROMP process, using the Schrock and Grubbs initiators. A further postdoctoral position with Professor Susan Gibson at Imperial College London led to a successful investigation of olefin cross-metathesis of solid-phase supported amino acids. This was followed by a lectureship at King's College London, after which I joined the University of Kent and was promoted to Senior lecturer in 2009.

I have authored more than 50 publications and supervised ten PhD and MSc students to completion. My research interests lie in the synthesis of materials with biological relevance including amino acids and peptides; these have been centered around the ROMP process but also with applications for radiolabeling for cancer imaging. After an extended period of management and education scholarship within the university, I have returned to research activities and am currently leading projects on supramolecular self-assembly systems focused on polymer conjugates of DNA intercalates. My research areas can be summarized below.

• Block copolymers, self-assembly, properties and applications.
• Complex monomer syntheses.
• Radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine applications.
• Unnatural amino acid and peptide syntheses.
• Bionanotechnology.
• DNA intercalates.

Recent National/International presentations by the Biagini group.
British Society for Nanomedicines (BSNM) 2021
RSC Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry Meeting 2019 

I have introduced a number of teaching innovations, notably in Final Year Research Projects, such as educationally related projects. My project students have won several prizes over the years. Student led teaching in the Master year is another teaching innovation.
Shortlisted for Kent Union Teaching prize nominated by students: ‘Absolutely amazing in everything. Made lectures interesting and understandable, as well as excellent feedback’.
Modules

• CHEM5040 Organic Reaction and Mechanisms
• CHEM6240 Transformations and Chirality in Organic Chemistry
• CHEM6040 Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM6200 Chemistry Research Project
• PSCI7130 Substances of Abuse  

Selected to be on the advisory group for the UK Quality Assurance Agency Subject Benchmark for Forensic Science 2021.

Director of Undergraduate Studies for Chemistry led the programme’s reintroduction at Kent in 2013.

Led the development and introduction of the Forensic Science degree programme at Kent and was Director of Undergraduate Studies for five years during which the programme was ranked number 1 in the UK by the NSS and nationally was one of the first to be accredited.

I have created several new modules including the MSc module Substances of Abuse which combines expertise in organic chemistry with Forensic Science applications.

Outreach

I have an extensive experience of outreach activities including organizing the schools’ Salter’s Festival for ten years and delivered the 2019 Sir Humphry Davy Lecture (Rose Hill school), which celebrates the diverse nature of science and its place in society - ‘unanimously enjoyed by our students;...inspiring…’

Marketing and Admissions Officer for eleven years during which time I extensively promoted widening participation, and successfully marketed our degree programmes leading to financial sustainability and expansion within the School.

Equality Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI)

My aim is to improve inclusivity in the STEMM subjects.

I spent four years as the Senior Tutor for Physics, Chemistry and Forensic Science supporting students and developing inclusive learning plans. In particular I have pioneered teaching innovations for visually impaired students such as live screen capture (which years later informed our transition to online teaching) and bespoke laboratory adaptations in STEMM subjects.
• I am the recipient of the 2020 Royal Society of Chemistry Equality Diversity and Inclusivity fund.
• Founding member of the University Opportunity, Productivity, Engagement, Reducing barriers, Achievement (OPERA) team

• Chair of the Accessibility Steering Group (Kent) 2021-
• EDI Operations group (Kent) 2021-
• National & international EDI presentations and activities
• RSC Diversity and Inclusivity Forum 2021
• Digitally Enhanced Education webinar series 2021
• RSC Diversity and Inclusivity Focus group 2021
• Europlanet consortium (27 nations) 2020
• RSC Diversity and Inclusivity Forum 2020

Awards

Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Student Support 2018

Affiliate of the Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists (2021)

Member of the American Chemical Society (2018)

Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2016)