DrLaura Cunningham

After graduating with a degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology from UCD, Laura stayed on in UCD to complete her PhD in the group of Prof. Pat Guiry. There, she worked on a range of projects with an emphasis on asymmetric synthesis and planar chirality, applying ferrocene-containing scaffolds in medicinal chemistry, organocatalysis and transition metal catalysis.

In 2020, she moved to the University of Oxford to carry out postdoctoral research with Prof. Stephen Fletcher. Laura led projects in rhodium catalysis including scale-up and process design, methodology development and natural product synthesis. While at Oxford, Laura developed a keen interest in supramolecular chemistry and self-assembling systems, working on out-of-equillibrium systems chemistry in the Fletcher group. 

In 2023, Laura returned to Ireland to take up an assistant professor position at the University of Galway where her team began investigating the interface between supramolecular chemistry and sustainable organic synthesis. In 2024, Laura was selected to represent Ireland at the European Chemical Society Young Investigator Award, and later that year was one of two respresentatives selected from Europe to present her work at the American Chemical Society Young Investigator Award Symposium. In 2026, Laura and returned to her alma matter, UCD where she is fortunate to a support a team of excellent and friendly PhD students.

Outside of her chemistry work, Laura is a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity and has received multiple awards for her work in this area while at the University of Oxford. Since returning to Ireland, Laura has been engaging in pedagogical research as part of a Masters degree in academic practice. Her interests primarily lie in enhancing the delivery of chemistry content in both classroom and lab environments as well as understanding the interplay between mental health and chemistry education at university.