Dr Tom McCoy

Tom completed a Bachelor of Science at Monash University, Melbourne, majoring in the topics of Chemistry and Physiology. In 2014, Tom then completed an Honours degree at Monash investigating the use of graphene oxide - an ultra-thin carbon-based material derived from graphite - as an adsorbent for wastewater cleanup and its subsequent removal using a magnetic field. The work received national recognition, being featured in 'The Australian' newspaper and discussed on Melbourne radio station '3RRR'.

Tom undertook doctoral research in Physical Chemistry between 2015-2018 again at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. His research investigated the chemical processing of 2-dimensional carbon nanomaterials in water, and how their physical behaviour could be mediated using small amphiphilic molecules called surfactants. Several publications emerged from this work demonstrating capacity for modulating the bulk and interfacial properties of these systems so that they may be better used in industrial applications such as water purification and stabilisation. As a side project, Tom explored the self-assembly of a specific class of surfactant molecules that spontaneously form complex fluid mixtures using a technique called small-angle neutron scattering.

Immediately after his PhD, Tom commenced his postdoc at the University of Cambridge in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB). The project was conducted in collaboration with Infineum UK Ltd. to explore the mechanism of friction reduction and anti-wear caused by small molecule additives in engine oil formulations using neutron reflectivity. 

In 2021, Tom became an Oppenheimer Research Fellow in CEB and a Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson. Tom also delivers two lecture courses in CEB on Analytical and Physical Chemistry for CET1, and supervises MPhil. students in Advanced Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.