Dr Amiya Chaudhry
Senior Lecturer in Science
Dr Amiya Chaudhry received her BSc (Hons) (1998) in Environmental Science and a PhD (2004) in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Sussex. Her PhD, funded by the Atomic Weapons Establishment UK was based on the characterisation and degradation of a typical room temperature vulcanized (RTV) filled foamed poly(dimethyl) siloxane rubber.
In 2004 she was appointed as an associate lecturer at the Open University on a number of technology and science courses. In 2005 she joined the Materials Science Research Centre at Wrexham University as a knowledge transfer associate on a two-year research project funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and Almetron Ltd.
In 2007 she took a permanent academic position and is now a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is currently a senior lecturer and a programme leader for MRes Analytical and Forensic Chemistry and BSc (Hons) Biochemistry at the University. Her research interests lie in the broad area of polymer degradation and biopolymers and forensic analysis.
She is passionate about women in STEM and actively involved in inspiring girls and women to study and pursue careers in STEM fields
Research Interests
My research interests lie in the areas of polymer degradation and stability, biopolymers and analytical analysis related to the field of forensic or biosciences. These areas are explored through a variety of post and undergraduate student projects.
Polymer Science
My background is in the ageing and lifetime prediction of typical polymer matrices. My PhD was focused on characterising a typical siloxane polymer. The material was initially characterised through a variety of analytical techniques such as ESR, NMR, TGA, DMTA, FTIR, Mossbauer, Chemiluminescence and compression testing. The material was then subjected to accelerated ageing via oxidation and hydrolysis. Changes in the aged polymer matrix were then monitored and mathematical modelling was carried out to determine lifetime stability at ambient conditions.
More recently I was a PhD advisor on a project which was based on investigating the cure kinetics and mechanical properties of different types of epoxy nanocomposites. One of the main applications of these epoxy resins is in the aviation sector and microwave cured composites look promising as they have a reduced production time. However understanding the ageing of these microwave cured composites is vital and not very much research in this area has been carried out. I would further like to develop this area and look at the degradation aspect of conventionally cured nanocomposites versus microwave cured nanocomposites.
Biopolymers
In recent years deriving useful materials from waste streams has expanded. Working with our undergraduate students, we are exploring useful waste streams for proteins and inulins. Inulin in recent years has gained popularity in the food industry as a prebiotic. We have also been exploring how inulin degrades during food processing.
Bioscience Research projects
I also have a strong research interest in the role of phytochemicals in food sources and impact on health. Shown below are a few projects carried out.
- Investigating the antimicrobial properties of Sorrel (Rumex acetosa).
- Deciphering microbial growth dynamics and diversity in early Kombucha brewing stages: Investigating yeast and bacteria reproduction rates in sugared tea medium for SCOBY cultivation from scratch using Gram Staining techniques.
- A cost-effective method for the separation and determination of vitamin B12, from free cobalt, using ionic liquid- aqueous two-phase systems and UV-visible spectrometry.
- Application of FT-IR spectroscopy and HPLC to assess the olive oil adulteration.
- Photo-catalytically controlled phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Brassica Oleracea L. Var.Acephala.
- The Influence of storage time and temperature on the stability of serum and urine osmolality.
- Storage and stability of full blood count samples: Evaluation of the effect of time and temperature on haematological analytes.
- Quantitative analysis of caffeine in different soft drinks using HPLC and UV spectroscopy
- Migration of additives from polymer packaging using UV spectroscopy.
Research Projects
|
Title |
Role |
Description |
From/To |
|
Food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of UK North Wales university students |
Co-investigator |
Rationale: On commencement of HE studies, some university students chose private accommodation where they rely on prior or peer to peer knowledge and internet for information on food safety practices and foodborne illnesses. Some EU studies have reported changes in dining-in and dining-out behaviours with both students staying at home and away reporting a reduction on home cooked meals after commencing HE studies. Families helped with shopping, cooking, and planning healthy meals. However, students in self-catering accommodation leave family homes with limited knowledge on shopping for healthy meal preparation, skills to safely prepare and cook their own meals, awareness of food contamination risks and how to reduce foodborne illnesses for their housemates and themselves. This project will assist the team to build on previous research on food safety (working with a variety of communities to improve food safety in the UK and internationally). There has been a food safety knowledge gap on food related programmes. As a result of COVID – 19 pandemic most secondary school stopped doing practicals in food and design technology related subjects. Students are moving to HE with limited knowledge on food safety. Pupils from boarding schools have been reported to have lost food preparation skills due to the environment of having everything organised for them and following a stipulated programme. These gaps will take a long time to plug in as it is taking a long time to pre-set training to pre–covid period. The universities will have to do more to support the students, but the support must be evidence based to be more effective. The knowledge of allergens has gone up, but the availability of self-testing kits is low, therefore some students might just be missing out. Other key stakeholders such as MEDR, WG, NHS will benefit from the project as it promotes better wellbeing, reduces illness, promotes healthier habits all of which are important factors for stakeholders This study aims to investigate (1) current situation on attitudes, knowledge, practices, on food safety; (2) how students reduce the risk of foodborne illness; and (3) identify determinants of having adequate knowledge, good practices, and favourable attitudes. The objectives are: (i)To design a questionnaire with open and closed questions, Likert scale questions types to explore the food safety knowledge, attitudes, practices; how student reduce the risk of foodborne illness; and identify the determinants of having adequate knowledge, good practice, and favourable attitudes (ii) To recruit participants from the university community (iii) To collect data using a survey (iv) To analyse the data using statistical methods. |
2024 - 2025 |
Publications
|
Year |
Publication |
Type |
|
2004 |
Impact of thermal ageing on the tin catalyst species in room temperature vulcanised polysiloxane rubbers, POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY, 83. [DOI] |
Cyfnodolyn a Adolygwyd gan Gymheiriaid |
|
2001 |
Characterisation and oxidative degradation of a room-temperature vulcanised poly(dimethylsiloxane) rubber , POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY, 73. [DOI] |
Cyfnodolyn a Adolygwyd gan Gymheiriaid |
Professional Associations
|
Association |
Function |
From/To |
|
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy |
Postgraduate certificate in Professional development (PGCPD) in HE |
2013 - 2013 |
Employment
|
Employer |
Position |
From/To |
|
Wrexham Glyndwr University |
Senior Lecturer in Science |
2012 - 2023 |
|
Wrexham Glyndwr University |
Lecturer in Science |
2007 - 2012 |
|
The Open University |
Associate Lecturer |
2004 – 2009 |
Education
|
Institution |
Qualification |
Subject |
From/To |
|
University of Sussex |
DPhil |
Polymer Science |
2003 |
|
University of Sussex |
BSc (Hons) |
Environmental Science |
1998 |
|
Wrexham Glyndwr University |
Postgraduate certificate in Professional development (PGCPD) in HE |
Teaching |
2012 - 2013 |
Journal Reviewer or Editor
|
Journal Name |
Activity |
|
Bioplastics project report (EV0433) |
Peer Reviewer |
Consultancy & Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
|
Client |
Description |
From/To |
|
Almetron Ltd |
Performance evaluation of environment friendly etch surfactants in order to improve the aluminium etching process by minimising foam creation and improving surface run-off. This project was focused on developing an improved industrial etching system for aluminium processing to improve efficiency and meet the Environmental Agency guidelines. The aim was to develop an environmentally – preferred replacement etching product. · Annual income generated by replacement product would be : £75,000 -£100,000. · Improved the company’s proficiency on the role of surfactants in the etching of aluminium which is used in a host of commercial products e.g. bathroom showers, window frames etc. |
2005 - 2007 |
Other Professional Activities
|
Title |
From/To |
|
External Examiner at Kingston University |
2023 |
|
External Examiner at Staffordshire University for validation of programmes |
2017 |
Programs/ Modules Coordinated
|
Title |
Subject |
|
Advanced Research Skills |
SCI719 |
|
Advanced Biochemistry |
SCI543 |
|
Research Methods: Theory and Practice |
SCI525 |
|
Drugs and Toxicology |
SCI642 |
|
Dissertation: Pilot Study |
SCI720 |
|
Structural and Functional Biochemistry |
SCI641 |
|
Dissertation: Research Project |
SCI721 |
|
Maths and Experimental Design |
SCI338 |
|
Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Genetics |
SCI450 |
|
Essential Laboratory Skills |
SCI458 |
|
The Cell and Molecular Biology |
SCI547 |
|
Applied & Medical Microbiology |
SCI552 |
|
Advances in Medicine: Diagnostics & Therapeutics |
SCI645 |
|
Cellular & Histopathology |
SCI549 |
|
Laboratory and Field Skills |
LND308 |
|
Introduction to Immunology and Microbiology |
SCI446 |
|
Essential Skills for Life Sciences |
SCI448 |
|
Forensic Taphonomy |
SCI608 |
|
Clinical Genetics & Cancer Biology |
SCI646 |
Current Postgraduates
|
Name |
Degree |
|
Kevin Jones |
PH |