Meet the team
Fredrik Schaufelberger is an associate professor of synthetic chemistry at University of Warwick and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. He obtained his undergraduate degree from at KTH and ETH Zürich (2007-2012), followed by PhD studies at KTH in the area of supramolecular and dynamic covalent chemistry (with Olof Ramström). Following his dissertation, he moved to the group of David A. Leigh at the Univerity of Manchester with a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (2017-2020). In Manchester, he was studying functional molecular knots and chemically fuelled molecular assemblies such as rotaxanes. After a research stay with Molly M. Stevens at Imperial College London (2020-2021), where he was working on biosensing and drug delivery, he took up a position as assistant professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden. In November 2024, he started as an assistant professor at the University of Warwick, UK. He was promoted to associate professor in 2026. In his spare time, he loves to hang out with his family, read pretentious novels and play video games (especially 16-bit japanese role-playing games).
Learn more about Fredrik in his “Introducing…” profile at Angewandte Chemie.
Anja Ramström is Phd student in the group since august 2022. She previously studied the MSc program in Molecular Science and Engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and she did her MSc thesis in the group in spring 2022 on luminescent rotaxanes as reported molecular for biosensing. Her PhD research is based on investigations on the interface between artificial molecular machines and biological systems. Her research interests are synthetic organic chemistry for molecular machine synthesis and luminescence spectroscopy. In her spare time, she plays soccer, hang out with friends and play computer games.
Stan van Dooren is a BSc intern in the group since January 2024, working on biocompatible molecular machines. He is doing his exchange studies from Avans University of Applied Sciences, and he has previous experience working on carbohydrate chemistry at Utrecht university. He is a big synthesis lover and an organic chemist at heart. Outside of the lab he enjoys reading, playing video games and mountain biking.
Marilyn Kumarasingam is a PhD student in the group since October 2026, where she is working on interlocked biomolecules and biomaterials for imaging applications. Previously, she completed her MChem project in the group, working on pseudo-rotaxanes for biosensing applications. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Warwick, and she has a deep interest in medicinal and synthetic organic chemistry. Outside of the lab, Marilyn enjoys baking, dancing, and going on (leisurely) nature walks.
Jack Oram is a PhD student in the Schaufelberger group researching slide-ring materials for biomedical applications. Jack obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Warwick before completing an MSc by research in the Baker Humanitarian Chemistry Group where he researched RAFT polymerisation and end-functionalisation of polymers for diagnostic devices. Outside of his research, Jack is an avid tuba and euphonium player and enjoys going climbing.
Haripriya Balan is a postdoctoral researcher in the group since August 2026, with a keen interest in developing mechanically interlocked polymers and slide-ring materials for bioapplications. She completed her PhD in May 2026 at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram, India in the group of Prof. Kana M. Sureshan. Her PhD research focused on the development of crystalline organic two-dimensional polymers via topochemical reactions. She loves to explore smart organic materials and understanding their functional properties. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and trying out DIY crafts.
Shuwen Lei joined the group in September 2026 as a postdoctoral researcher with a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2026–2028), working on Mechanically Interlocked Radiotracer Chelators for Efficient Cancer Therapy (MIRACLEs). She received her MSc in Medicinal Chemistry from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) in 2020, and a dual-award PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology in 2024 from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Newcastle (Australia), under the supervision of Prof. Lei Fu and Laureate Prof. Roger Smith. She then joined the group of Prof. Jun O. Liu at Johns Hopkins University (US) as a postdoctoral researcher, where she worked on the synthesis of rapafucin analogues as molecular glue. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, BodyPump, and reading.
Upasana Poran is an MRes student in the group since October 2026, working on photocleavable rotaxanes. She previously did a URSS project in the group in July 2025, and later undertook a placement at KTH Royal Institute of Technology studying energy-transfer catalysis with Prof. Markus Kärkäs. Outside of the lab, she enjoys taekwondo, travelling, and non-stop chatting with her friends.
Erin Page is a MChem student in the group since October 2026, working on the bioconjugation of mechanically interlocked radiotracers for applications in targeted cancer therapy. She is an undergraduate chemistry student at the University of Warwick with a love for synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Outside of the lab, Erin enjoys hiking, cooking, and playing squash.
Alex Blake has been part of the Schaufelberger Group since October 2026; he is an MChem student working on drug delivery using mechanically interlocked networks. Previously, he did a placement year at Innospec where he developed agrochemical formulations and is interested in chemical biology and materials science. During his free-time, Alex enjoys playing cricket, hiking and video games..
Edward Emery is an MRes student in the group since October 2026, working on the development of metal chelate rotaxanes for applications as responsive contrast agents. He is a chemistry student at the University of Warwick with a particular interest in synthetic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and the development of functional molecules for biomedical applications. Outside of the lab, Edward enjoys running, strength training and gaming.
Alumni
Clarisse Marin: MSc Exchange student, april-july 2022. University Paris-Saclay and Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris-Saclay, France.
Satyajit Das: Postdoc, 2022-2023. Currently at University of Tokyo, Japan.
Frantisek Stara: Erasmus Exchange student, 2023. UCT Prague, Czech Republic.
Pernilla Öberg: MSc Student, 2023, KTH, Sweden
Joonas Ryssy: Postdoc, 2022-2023. Currently at Aalto University, Finland.
Ming-Tai Lee: MSc Student, 2024, KTH, Sweden
Huseynagha Abasov: BSc Student, 2024. Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey
Imre Küranel: BSc Student, 2024. Boğaziçi University, Turkey
Jingjing Yu: Postdoc 2022-2024. Currently at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Marius Gaedke: Postdoc 2022 - 2024. Currently at Octapharma.
Maike Putzker: BSc student, 2025. University of Ulm.
Nicole Sallier De La Tour: MSc student, 2025-2026, University of Heidelberg.
Gabriel Rosario-Whyte, MChem student, 2025-2026
Mats Drinkenburg: BSc student, 2026, Avans University.
Layla Salah Abdella, MSc, 2026, currently PhD student at Trinity College Doublin
Daisy Pooler, Postdoc 2023-2026, currently Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, University of Warwick