Jiawei Xu

E.P. Abraham Scholarship

Joining us from: China

DPhil Chemistry (2024)

I was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province of China. Before coming to Oxford, I completed my undergraduate studies at Nanjing Normal University, China, in 2021. I then moved to the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences and where I completed an MSc in Physical Chemistry in 2024. That same year, I joined Professor John McGrady and Professor Michail Stamatakis’s research group in the Department of Chemistry to continue as a DPhil student.

My research interest focuses on theoretical and computational chemistry, as well as developing user-friendly tools to interpret serious computational data into easily understood content. My current work aims to understand complicated chemical or biochemical reaction processes by utilising high-accuracy electronic structure methods. We get inspiration from natural cofactors and enzymes like cytochrome, iron–sulfur clusters, vitamin B12, and utilise the latest computational methods to understand the mechanism. Based on these studies, we design new molecules or materials to extend the boundaries of chemical synthesis or catalysis.

Outside laboratories, my favourite activities are cooking, travelling, and ancient literature. The halls in St Cross College attract me the most, as they are well known to be among the best in Oxford. The tasting dinner each term is not only well worth trying but also provides me with plenty of inspiration for cooking.

I am honoured to receive the Clarendon Scholarship and the Oxford - St Cross E.P. Abraham Scholarship. Being elected as a scholars means my previous research is recognised as meaningful and of broad interest in multidisciplinary fields, which also encourages me to continue progressing with current projects.