The College warmly congratulates Kieran Agg, DPhil Student in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, who was selected as a finalist in the STEM for Britain competition. Kieran presented some of his research in Parliament on 11 March and we asked him to tell us more about the experience.
What research did you present in Parliament?
I had the great pleasure of attending the final of STEM for Britain in Parliament, where I was able to present a poster entitled “Proline modulates interactions between charged surfaces: understanding salt tolerance in plants”. This work, which forms some of my DPhil research, discussed some findings from my studies into the influence of the amino acid, proline, in modifying the interactions between particles in aqueous solutions. My results highlight the role of these small molecules in tuning interactions at the nanoscale and have implications for a wide range of natural and technological contexts.
What got you interested in this area?
Throughout my doctoral research, I have been trying to uncover details surrounding the physical phenomena that govern nature-inspired electrolytes. Electrolytes are the fluid solvent for all life on earth yet, remarkably, there are still gaps in our understanding of the liquid state, and many fundamental questions remain unanswered. I have been motivated to perform interdisciplinary research, using tools from physics and chemistry to answer questions from biology, such as why certain organisms accumulate molecules called “osmolytes”, including proline, in their cellular fluids and investigating the influence of these molecules on intracellular interactions.
What was the event on 11 March like?
The event was a unique occasion for early-career researchers like me to showcase their research to MPs and Peers, as well as fellow academics and industry representatives. There was a broad range of innovative research on display from across the scientific disciplines, and it was an enjoyable experience to be part of the enthusiastic dialogue between scientists and parliamentarians. A particular highlight was the opportunity to meet and discuss my research with Olly Glover, the MP for Didcot and Wantage, my home constituency. Overall, it was an exciting experience to participate in this event at the nexus between academia, industry, and policymaking—a crucial space for translating cutting-edge university research into real societal benefits.
Where will your research take you next?
Now in the final year of my DPhil, I am in the process of tying together my results from the past few years into my thesis and publications. Hopefully, my thesis will contribute to our understanding of how and why cellular organisms regulate the composition of their intracellular fluids in response to environmental challenges, such as high salt concentrations. These results have broad implications across nature and technology, including for our fundamental understanding of the biology of halophiles (salt-loving organisms), but also for the development of halo-tolerant crop species in response to the accumulation of salts in agricultural soils, a growing threat to global food security.
What do you like about Queen’s?
Throughout my time here, I have found Queen’s an incredibly supportive community to be a part of. It has been a great place to meet lots of interesting individuals, and I always enjoy hearing about the wide-ranging research interests of other MCR members. Also, Queen’s certainly has some of the best architecture in Oxford!
Can you recommend a book?
H2O: A Biography of Water by Philip Ball considers the history of this ubiquitous substance and its relevance across a range of earthly processes, from mediating biochemical interactions on the nanoscale to its ability to shape processes on geological scales. The book also considers the wider relationship between water and human society, and how, despite its apparent simplicity, it continues to keep scientists like me busy studying its properties to this day!
