Postdoc and Graduate

PhD Students

Jack Fitzsimmons (BSc Chemistry, QUB)

Jack is from Belfast and graduated with a BSc Chemistry Hons (1st Class) in  2023, where he worked with Dr Joseph Vyle on synthesis of selenium containing RNA cap analogues. Jack started his PhD in the group October 2024, and his research is concentrated on developing new avenues in single electron transfer reactions. Outside the lab, Jack enjoys reading, movie nights with friends and fishkeeping.

 Michael Cameron (MChem Chemistry, QUB)

Originally from Bangor (N.I.), Michael graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with an MChem degree in June 2024, undertaking his MChem project within the McLaughlin group working on routes to N-heterocycles utilising calcium catalysis. During his undergraduate degree, he completed an industrial placement at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in Oxfordshire, working within the Deuteration Facility to assist in synthesising bespoke perdeuterated materials for neutron beamline users. Having spent the summer after graduating on a 3-month internship at Porous Liquid Technologies, developing materials for direct air capture of CO2, he returned to the group in October 2024 to begin his PhD, continuing the group’s work in utilising calcium catalysis to provide useful chemical scaffolds. Outside of chemistry, Michael enjoys baking, kayaking and learning beginner German

Ben Murphy (MChem Chemistry, QUB)

Ben grew up in Lisbane, Northern Ireland and graduated with an MChem degree in June 2024 from Queen’s University Belfast, with a final year research project in synthesis of C-N axially chiral 2-pyridones with Dr Peter Knipe, and undertook a placement year at Almac Sciences over 2022-2023 as a part of the process development department. Ben joined the McLaughlin group in October 2024, researching designing new, highly selective kinase inhibitors as potential pancreatic cancer therapeutics. Outside of the lab, Ben enjoys playing music, drinking coffee, and watching B-movies.

Jude Kennedy (BSc Medicinal Chemistry, QUB)

Jude grew up outside Hillsborough and graduated with a BSc in Medicinal Chemistry in 2025. Jude undertook a placement year in Almac Sciences as part of the McKervey Award, working with the Process Development team. Jude joined the McLaughlin group in October 2024, focusing on the development of novel Molecular Glues. Outside of chemistry, Jude enjoys listening to and creating music, learning languages and travelling.

 Hayley Yau (BSc Pharmaceutical Science, Kingston University)

Originally from Northern Ireland, Hayley graduated from Kingston University with a First-Class BSc in Pharmaceutical Science. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted a research project on nanoaggregates for dry powder inhalers. She then joined Almac as an analytical chemist before beginning her PhD in the group in October 2025. Her research focuses on advancing the field of targeted covalent inhibitors by moving beyond the traditional targeting of cysteine residues. When she’s not in the lab, Hayley can often be found watching horror movies or on the mat at Judo practice.

Megan Boyd (MChem Chemistry, QUB)