SCHEMA hosts Spring Conference in Cambridge
We recently hosted our Spring Conference at the University of Cambridge in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, the academic home of SCHEMA Process Chemistry & Engineering Lead, Prof Laura Torrente-Murciano. The event brought together more than 100 researchers, industry leaders, and early-career scientists for two days of discussion and collaboration. Held on 24–25 March, the event highlighted the Hub’s commitment to advancing sustainable chemistry through interdisciplinary research, leadership development, and inclusive practice.
Conference group photo
SCHEMA Spring conference delegates
Day 1: Scientific Frontiers and Emerging Voices
The conference opened with a welcome from Prof Laura Torrente Murciano, our host in Cambridge, after which SCHEMA Director Prof Charlotte Williams gave delegates an overview of SCHEMA's work and an update of year one outputs. Dr Gerrit Gobius du Sart, Corporate Scientist: Technology Development at TotalEnergies Corbion, was the first speaker of the day, and began with a viewpoint from industry. Researchers from a number of different universities then took to the stage with a series of research talks:
Dr Gerrit Gobius du Sart, Total Corbion
Prof Linda Broadbelt, Northwestern University
Prof Erwin Reisner, University of Cambridge
Dr Gloria Rosetto, University of Graz
Prof Joao Cabral, Imperial College London
Dr Gabriella Pizzuto, University of Liverpool
Prof Peter Olsén, Linköping University
In the afternoon, delegates came together for lunch and a group photo, followed by a lightning presentation session in which poster presenters had 90 seconds to explain their work to the audience. This led into the full poster presentation session in the CEB Atrium where we had more than 35 posters in competition for our two prizes, kindly sponsored by ChemComm and Green Chemistry. Dr Alexander Craze from the Williams Group at the University of Oxford's won the Green Chemistry prize with his poster titled "Recyclable and Toughened High Molar Mass Poly(Cyclopentene Carbonate) (PCPC) Blends for Sustainable Alternative Thermoplastic Materials" and Dr Xian Ding from the University of Bath won the ChemComm prize with the poster titled "Sustainable Furan-Based Polyamides: A Green Platform for Advanced Janus Electrospun Antibacterial Dressings". Day One concluded with a cocktail event and conference dinner at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge.
Poster presentation session
Prof Antoine Buchard and Dr Alexander Craze
Prof Antoine Buchard and Dr Xian Ding
Corpus Christi College Dining Hall
Day 2: Scientific Frontiers and Emerging Voices
The second day of the conference opened with a lecture by Prof Filip Du Prez from Ghent University and Dr Fernando Vidal Pena from POLYMAT. These talks were followed by two sessions focusing on Life Cycle Assessments by Prof Rachael Rothman from the University of Sheffield and Dr Polina Yaseneva from the University of Cambridge. Dr Norman Keane from Keane Consulting delivered an industry and career perspective talk titled "From Lab to Leadership" charting his career path from being one of the only BAME PhD students in his University of Manchester chemistry cohort, to his successful career in industry which include high-profile roles such as Director of Innovation and Chief Technology Officer at Ingevity (UK) and D3O (UK), respectively.
Prof Filip Du Prez
Prof Rachael Rothman
Dr Norman Keane, Keane Consulting
Dr Fernando Vidal Peña, POLYMAT
Dr Polina Yaseneva
Q&A session
In conclusion
The Spring conference was closed by Prof Matthew Davidson from the University of Bath who thanked all attendees, staff, and student volunteers at the University of Cambridge. He also announced that registrations have now opened for the Autumn 2026 conference in Oxford, allowing attendees to register immeidately. See our event page for more information and to register.
