Four innovative projects have been recognised in this year’s Jamie Ferguson Chemistry Innovation Awards, celebrating Oxford students developing chemistry-based ideas with the potential for real-world impact.
The annual awards, known as ‘the Jamies’, are run by the Department of Chemistry in partnership with Oxford University Innovation (OUI). They were established in memory of Dr Jamie Ferguson, a much-loved colleague and friend of the Department who was a passionate advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship.
This year’s winners, and their projects, are:
Euan Sarson
This project develops a europium-based MRI contrast agent that switches “on” in low-oxygen, reducing environments such as hypoxic tumours. The innovation could enable non-invasive imaging of therapy-resistant cancer environments and improve diagnosis, treatment planning and monitoring.
Clare McFall
This project targets a newly discovered interaction between FLNC and HSPB7, proteins involved in cardiac muscle mechanics. The aim is to develop small molecules that correct the underlying molecular drivers of cardiomyopathies, moving beyond symptom management towards disease-modifying cardiovascular therapies.
Matthew Williams and Emma Southall
This project develops struvite-derived layered double hydroxide sorbents to selectively capture uranium from seawater. By turning a wastewater by-product into a functional material, the innovation could support resilient nuclear fuel supply chains, critical mineral security and circular economy approaches.
Raman van Wee and Dan Loewenthal
This project advances Mass Photometry to measure protein interactions in real time and directly in complex biological samples such as serum or cell lysates. The technology could improve biologics quality control and drug development by providing earlier, richer information on protein behaviour before costly purification stages.
Congratulations to all four winning teams.
Header image shows the recipients of the 2026 Jamie Ferguson Chemistry Innovation Awards: Euan Sarson, Raman van Wee, Dan Lowenthal, Matthew Williams, Emma Southall and Clare McFall (L–R).
