Dr Sarah Woods PhD, BEng

Research Associate in Biopolymer Composite Development

• +44 (0)1509 227932
• S.Woods@lboro.ac.uk
• S Building
• Research publications

Background

Sarah obtained her BEng (Hons) degree in Materials Engineering from Loughborough University in 2019. Her final-year dissertation focused on analysing the processability of a polyester-based triblock copolymers for biomedical application. In 2024, she completed her PhD in polymer chemistry at Loughborough University under the supervision of Dr Fiona Hatton, where she synthesised novel biobased block copolymers and investigated their self-assembly behaviour using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated polymerisation induced self-assembly (PISA). She has industrial experience in recycling and plastics processing, working on projects such as compatibilization of PET and PA with polyolefins. Additionally, she has collaborated with industry developing novel PLA-based composites with reduced water sensitivity. She is now leading a project to commercialise cutting-edge sensing technology aimed at protecting public health and preserving ecosystems.

Qualifications

• PhD Department of Materials, Loughborough University, 2024
• Beng (Hons) Materials Engineering, Loughborough University, 2019

Outline of main research interests:

• Plastics processing
• Plastics recycling
• Sustainable polymer chemistry
• Self-assembly of block copolymers
• Commercialisation of technology

Research Group:

• Willcock group