Mohammadali Foroozandeh
Case study: Mohammadali Foroozandeh
Fellowship: Royal Society University Research Fellowship
Title of the research: Next-generation magnetic resonance experiments: evolution or intelligent design?
About the research
My research revolves around the design of novel methodologies for detection and analysis of magnetic resonance spectroscopic data with applications in chemical, biological,material, and medical research, and in healthcare technologies. My main current research interests include ultrahigh-resolution and ultra-broadband magnetic resonance spectroscopy, designing highly controlled and robust pulses (radio-frequency and microwave), optimal control of quantum systems, signal processing, spectral estimation and modelling, and design of novel detection schemes towards magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging with cellular and molecular resolution.
How will this fellowship help my career progression?
The Royal Society University Research Fellowship is one of the most prestigious awards in the UK that an early-career researcher can have. It is an invaluable opportunity that allows scientist at the beginning of their independent research journey to build their research group and to pursue their own research interests.
This Fellowship allows me to develop my ideas to a far greater extent, bring them to fruition and take further decisive steps towards academic maturity and independence. It offers a wealth of opportunities for collaborations on cutting-edge research, open possibilities for new career aspirations, and aids the strengthening of my research network worldwide, and especially within Europe.
The support the university provides
Department of Chemistry provides University Research Fellows with equal opportunities to apply and have access to studentships from the various Centres for Doctoral Training within Oxford (many EPSRC funded) over the course of the fellowship. For example, I have been able to apply to Synthesis for Biology & Medicine (through which one of my current DPhils is funded) and Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP. The Chemistry research facilitators and finance teams have been providing great support for grant applications, as well as throughout the URF application process. Additionally, there have been some really valuable supports for me from colleagues within the Oxford Chemistry and other Departments (Physics, Materials, Mathematics) through meetings, scientific discussions, and initiation of various collaborations.
Background
I completed my BSc and MSc degrees in Physical Chemistry in Iran, before moving to Geneva for my doctoral work with Dr Damien Jeannerat in 2009 (funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation). In 2013 I was appointed as a postdoctoral research associate and later as a researcher co-investigator at the University of Manchester with Professor Gareth Morris and Professor Mathias Nilsson (EPSRC funded). In 2018, I have been awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship with the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford.
