DC11 – Himani Singhal

BRIEF CV

Himani Singhal obtained her M.Sc. degree in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee in 2024. During her master’s studies, she focused on the application of porphyrins in catalysis and host-guest chemistry under the guidance of Prof. M. Sankar. In 2023, she worked on a project with Prof. Sridhar Rajaram at JNCASR Bangalore, focusing on the synthesis of substituted trimethylene carbonate. In 2024, she joined Prof. A.P. Davis’s group at the University of Bristol for her Ph.D. to explore macropolycyclic cages for carbohydrate recognition in aqueous environments.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Project title: Macropolycyclic H-Bonding Cages for Carbohydrate Recognition in Water
Carbohydrates are important but challenging targets for molecular recognition, especially in water, due to their complexity and hydrophilic nature. However, recognition can be achieved using cavities that are complementary to the carbohydrate structure, utilizing hydrogen bonding and apolar interactions in well-defined geometries. This project builds on the design of a highly effective glucose receptor and aims to further enhance understanding and capabilities in carbohydrate recognition. The research will explore new methods for exploiting existing systems and extend the focus to carbohydrates beyond the glucose family of saccharides. The primary goal of this work is to prioritize research with strong potential for medical applications, such as targeted drug delivery and advanced diagnostic tools, ultimately contributing to advancements in the biomedical field.

MAIN RESEARCH FIELD

Carbohydrate chemistry, Supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition.