Over the course of eight weeks this summer, five students holding Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation studentships completed their projects in the Department of Chemistry and Worcester College.

The Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation (JRCF) established the JRCF Summer Research Studentships at the Department of Chemistry in 2023. The programme is designed to provide students – particularly those from groups which are under-represented in chemistry research environments – with the opportunity to pursue chemistry research at Oxford, with a current focus on sustainable chemistry.

Chaired by Mary Anne Cordeiro, the JRCF was established in 2022 to honour the memory and legacy of her father, a scientist of Goan origin educated in India. While completing their summer projects, the students stayed in Worcester College thanks to the generous support of Old Members.

Professor Grant Ritchie is Oxford’s Head of Physical & Theoretical Chemistry and John and Patricia Danby Fellow & Tutor in Chemistry at Worcester. He said: ‘The Department has been delighted to host our second cohort of highly talented summer students whose research has focused on a diverse range of fundamental and applied problems relating to sustainable chemistry. We are extremely grateful to the JRCF and Worcester College for partnering with us to provide these outstanding students with the opportunity to experience the research environment beyond the confines of the undergraduate curriculum.’

L-R: Natasza Rybacka, Aleksandra Li, Prof. Grant Ritchie, Mary Anne Cordeiro, Akshat Pai Fondekar, Abigail Mortimer-Ball, Charlie Muston.