Page 23 - PERIODIC Magazine Issue 7

C elebrating a century

of student research

This year we are launching celebrations to mark a century since the first DPhils
were completed in Oxford Chemistry. As we prepare for the next century of innovative,
boundary-pushing graduate research, we look back at the launch of the degree,
early DPhil students, and the impact they and their successors have had over the
past 100 years.

The DPhil was established in 1917 to meet the demand for Chemistry, 1 President of the Royal Society, 1 Oxford
scientific research following the war. It was also a bid to draw Vice-Chancellor and 5 Nobel Laureates.
the most talented students from around the world to Oxford,
instead of to countries such as Germany. The lure of the by then About 120 graduate students are awarded a DPhil each
well-established PhD programmes there was strong, and there year now. Some enrol as individuals and others as part of
was no equivalent in the UK at the time. Waynflete Professor of government- and industry-funded Centres for Doctoral
Chemistry William H. Perkin Jr. was one of the strongest early Training. Aside from their research, many play a key role in
advocates for the DPhil. the Department’s strong outreach and public engagement
programmes and others have a strong entrepreneurial interest.
The first completed DPhil on record is that of William Davies,
who worked under Perkin and went on to become the University Their research is interdisciplinary with focuses across the
of Melbourne’s first professor of organic chemistry. Other subject. One example is Vanessa Restrepo-Schild, a student
early DPhil students include Sydney Plant, also the first person in the Bayley Group, who is developing a synthetic retina that
to complete the Part II year, and Raymond Ing FRS; widely can detect light and generate electrical signals. This research
acknowledged as one of the fathers of the field of chemical could improve the vision of those with retinal degeneration, and
pharmacology. The focuses of some of the early theses range possibly even outperform healthy retinas in the future. Another
from the synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids and the carbazole is Staszek Welsh, a student in the Logan Group, who focuses
series, to the transmutation of metallic elements and the impact on the interplay between interactions and disorder in quantum
of ozone on the temperature of the upper atmosphere. systems, challenging the fundamental notions of equilibrium
statistical mechanics.
Today, as they have for the past century, research students
(DPhils and Part IIs) form the backbone of the Department. Oxford Chemistry would not look the way it does today without
They drive forward pioneering research that leads to important research students, and will continue to rely on them in the
insights and helps us unlock the potential of curiosity-driven future. We look forward to sharing with you the achievements of
research. Former DPhil students have gone on to enjoy success DPhil students over the next 100 years!
in academia, industry, government and many other sectors,
and include 3 Presidents and 1 CEO of the Royal Society of

Were you a DPhil student? There are some 3000 take many forms: scholarships, mentoring and internships, for
Chemistry DPhil alumni living in over 70 countries today and we example. It will help us recognise the contribution of former
want to hear from you! We would like to learn about the impact students and supervisors and will support their successors for
of your time here and your supervisor(s), during your studies years to come.
and beyond. Please get in touch if you have any memories or To share your memories or to learn more about
photographs you would be willing to share.
supporting students, please contact Jane Rice in Chemistry’s
Development & Alumni Relations Office:
Could you help us prepare for the next century of jane.rice@chem.ox.ac.uk | +44(0)1865 275 093 | Physical &
student research? To celebrate 100 years of the DPhil, we’re Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford
asking for your help to shape students’ lives and the Department OX1 3QZ, or by using the enclosed form.
of Chemistry for another century. Support for students can 23
The Magazine of the Department of Chemistry Periodic