Research in the group focuses on virus/material interactions for a range of applications including the development of antiviral drugs, targetted gene therapy and for viral vaccine stabilisers. The group utilise a range of synthetic techniqus such as small molecule and polymer synthesis and associated characterisation to develop novel materials for these aims. The group is also intersted in understanding the mechanism behind such interactions and utilises a range of biological assays to investigate this. 

Sam's current research interests focus around material/virus interactions. By understanding and controlling such interactions the group hopes to develop better antivirals, vaccine stabilisers and novel viral vector delivery applications. 

Sam completed his masters in Chemistry, from the University of Warwick, under the direction of Prof. Stefan A. F. Bon in 2009. His work at the time focused on hydrogen bonding interactions for gold nanorod assembly. From there he moved to the University of Cambridge where he worked in the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis under Prof. Oren A. Scherman, on the supramolecular assembly of nanomaterials via cucurbit[n]uril. Upon completion of his Ph.D. in 2013, Sam moved to the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) where he worked alongside Prof. Francesco Stellacci. His research focused on the synthesis of novel virucidal materials and the synthesis of Janus nanoparticles for targeted delivery. In 2017 he moved to the Departmentl of Materials at the University of Manchester to begin his independent career as a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow. Sam's groups research focuses on virus/material interactions.