PERCAT Rep for the School of Chemical Engineering
What is your academic background and your current research field? 
I graduated with a master’s in chemistry from Durham University in 2016 and then moved on to complete a PhD in the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. Working in the labs of Professor Rachel O’Reilly, my research focussed on the design and synthesis of DNA-polymer bioconjugates. In 2020, I moved across to the School of Chemical Engineering to begin my current position as a Research Fellow in the Healthcare Technologies Institute. Here, my research centres around the design of polymers for medical adhesives.
What is your role as a PERCAT Rep and how can postdocs in your school contact you?
As a PERCAT rep in the School of Chemical Engineering I want to promote the formation of a supportive community of post docs and ECRs who share experiences and expertise.
Please feel free to contact me via email (l.a.arkinstall.1@bham.ac.uk) or pop over and say hello to me in the HTI. I am always happy to meet up over a coffee.
What do you feel are the benefits of the PERCAT programme for postdocs and what do you feel have been the benefits to you from being a postdoc rep?
In the first few months of my post doc, I found the training courses and workshops provided by PERCAT incredibly useful. In addition, the annual PERCAT conference is a great way to meet other post docs in the University. I am pleased to now be able to take on a more active role in the organisation and running of these events to ensure we can continue to help the research community at UoB thrive.