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Contact: M.D.Horbury@sheffield.ac.uk
Bio
Contact: M.D.Horbury@sheffield.ac.uk
Bio
I received my MChem from the University of Leeds in 2012 and it was during my Master's research project that my passion for ultrafast laser spectroscopy was sparked. Pursuing this passion led me to do a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Warwick in Prof. Vasilios Stavros's research group, which I completed in 2016. During this PhD, my research focused on three areas: (1) The ultrafast photodynamics pathways of ultraviolet chromophores in biological systems, such as eumelanin; (2) The photodissociation of Ru(II) metal-complexes as a potential method to bypass the antibiotic resistance mechanism in tuberculosis; and (3) The photoisomerization pathway of ferulic and caffeic acids.
After my PhD, I continued working in Prof. Vasilios Stavros's research group as a PDRA, building off of the research into ultraviolet molecular filters that I had started towards the end of my PhD research. The aim of this research was to develop an in-depth understanding of natural occurring plant based ultraviolet molecular filters (i.e. sinapoyl malate) and then use this insight to design a bespoke ultraviolet molecular filter with increased performance, significantly reduced side-effects and a environmental friendly synthesis. This research ultimately resulted in a the creation of diethyl 2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)malonate, which displayed incredible photostability under UVA exposure, strong antioxidant potential and no endocrine disruption (a big issue with current ultraviolet molecular filters).
Once my PDRA position with Prof. Vasilios Stavros finished, I took up another PDRA post at the University of Leeds with Dr Alexander Valavanis, where I developed, constructed and characterised a terahertz frequency-resolved, vapour-phase spectroscopy system that combined a terahertz-emitting quantum cascade laser and a TeraFET detector. This system was designed and used to characterise the terahertz spectral fingerprints of gas- and vapour-phase molecules, to allow for the study of important atmospheric reactions. By observing the unique terahertz spectrum of these molecules it allows for tracking a specific molecule species during the reaction without convolution of other molecules spectral features, an issue faced by other spectroscopic techniques. Alongside, this spectroscopy work I was also involved in the characterisation of novel tera-hertz quantum cascade lasers, TeraFET detectors and terahertz active liquid crystal devices.
My current position is a PDRA for both Prof. Jenny Clark and Prof. Julia Weinstein. My research focuses on light-matter coupling, specifically vibrational strong coupling and the impact it has on photochemical processes. This research employs a bespoke microcavity capable of supporting cavity modes in the mid-infrared which are then strongly coupled to specific vibrational modes it generate polariton states. To explore the impact these polariton states have on the photochemistry of the molecule, a novel femtosecond transient electronic (UV/Vis) absorption spectroscopy system that incorporates a femtosecond infrared pulse is used; designed and built by myself. This system ensures that strong coupling is present throughout the measurements taken not only in the initial ground state, but also in any transient excited states created during the photodynamics of the molecule being studied.
Publications
Publications
8x8 Patch-Antenna-Coupled TeraFET Detector Array for Terahertz Quantum-Cascade-Laser Appications
J. Holstein , N. K. North , M. D. Horbury , S. S. Kondawar , I. Kundu , M. Salih , A. Krysl , Li. Li , E. H. Linfield , J. R. Freeman , A. Valavanis , A. Lisauskas, and H. G. Roskos, IEEE Trans. Terahertz Sci. Technol., 2024, 14, 799Power Stabilization of a Terahertz-Frequency Quantum-Cascade Laser Using a Photonic-Integrated Modulator
S. S. Kondawar, N. K. North, Y. Han, D. Pardo, N. Brewster, M. D. Horbury, M. Salih, L. Li, P. Dean, J. R. Freeman, B. N. Ellison, I. Kundu, and A. Valavanis,
Opt. Express, 2024, 32, 30017Waveguide Integration of a> 4.7‐THz Quantum‐Cascade Laser
E. Nuttall, Y. Han, D. Pardo, S. S. Kondawar, N. Brewster, M. Salih, L. Li, M. D. Horbury, A. G. Davies, E. H. Linfield, H. Wang, P. Dean, B. N. Ellison, and A. Valavanis, Electron. Lett., 2023, 59, e12703Ultrafast Transient Absorption Spectroelectrochemistry: Femtosecond to Nanosecond Excited-State Relaxation Dynamics of the Individual Components of an Anthraquinone Redox Couple
S. Goia, M. A. P. Turner, J. M. Woolley, M. D. Horbury, A. J. Borrill, J. J. Tully, S. J. Cobb, M. Staniforth, N. D. M. Hine, A. Burriss, J. V. Macpherson, B. R. Robinson, and V. G. Stavros, Chem. Sci., 2022, 13, 486New Generation UV-A Filters: Understanding Their Photodynamics on a Human Skin Mimic
T. T. Abiola, N. d. N. Rodrigues, C. Ho, D. J. L. Coxon, M. D. Horbury, J. M. Toldo, M. T. Do Casal, B. Rioux, C. Peyrot, M. M. Mention, P. Balaguer, M. Barbatti, F. Allais, and V. G. Stavros, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2020, 12, 337Reinvestigating the Photoprotection Properties of a Mycosporine Amino Acid Motif
A. L. Whittock, M. A. P. Turner, D. J. L. Coxon, J. M. Woolley, M. D. Horbury, and V. G. Stavros, Front. Chem., 2020, 8, 574083Exploring the Photochemistry of an Ethyl Sinapate Dimer: an Attempt Toward a Better Ultraviolet Filter
M. D. Horbury, M. A. P. Turner, J. S. Peters, M. Mention, A. L. Flourat, N. D. M. Hine, F. Allais, and V. G. Stavros, Front. Chem., 2020, 8, 633Towards Symmetry Driven and Nature Inspired UV Filter Design
M. D. Horbury, E. L. Holt, L. M. M. Mouterde, P. Balaguer, J. Cebrián, L. Blasco, F. Allais, and V. G. Stavros, Nat. Commun., 2019, 10, 4748Examining Solvent Effects on the Ultrafast Dynamics of Catechol
M. A. P Turner, R. J. Turner, M. D. Horbury, N. D. M. Hine, and V. G. Stavros, J. Chem. Phys., 2019, 151, 084305The Role of Symmetric Functionalisation on Photoisomerisation of a UV Commercial Chemical Filter
J. M. Woolley, J. S. Peters, M. A. P. Turner, G. J. Clarkson, M. D. Horbury, and V. G. Stavros, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2019, 21, 14350Determination of Secondary Species in Solution Through Pump-Selective Transient Absorption Spectroscopy and Explicit-Solvent TDDFT
M. A. P. Turner, M. D. Horbury, V. G. Stavros, and N. D. M. Hine, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2019, 123, 873Unravelling the Photoprotection Properties of Mycosporine Amino Acid Motifs
J. M. Woolley, M. Staniforth, M. D. Horbury, G. W. Richings, M. Wills, and V. G. Stavros, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2018, 9, 3043Spectroscopic Studies on Photoinduced Reactions of the Anticancer Prodrug, trans,trans,trans‐[Pt(N3)2(OH)2(py)2]
R. R. Vernooij, T. Joshi, M. D. Horbury, B. Graham, E. I. Izgorodina, V. G. Stavros, P. J. Sadler, L. Spiccia, and B. R. Wood, Chem. Eur. J., 2018, 24, 5790Photophysics of the Sunscreen Ingredient Menthyl Anthranilate and its Precursor Methyl Anthranilate: A Bottom-Up Approach to Photoprotection
N. d. N Rodrigues, N. C. Cole-Filipiak, M. D. Horbury, M. Staniforth, T. N. V. Karsili, Y. Peperstraete, and V. G. Stavros, J. Photochem. Photobiol., 2018, 353, 376Investigating Isomer Specific Photoprotection in a Model Plant Sunscreen
M. D. Horbury, A. L. Flourat, S. E. Greenough, F. Allais, and V. G. Stavros, Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 936Observation of Excited State Absorption in the V-Cr Prussian Blue Analogue
L. Hedley, M. D. Horbury, F. Liedy, and J. O. Johansson, Chem. Phys. Lett., 2017, 687, 125Controlled Fabrication of Osmium Nanocrystals by Electron, Laser and Microwave Irradiation and Characterisation by Microfocus X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
A. Pitto-Barry, K. Geraki, M. D. Horbury, V. G. Stavros, J. F. W. Mosselmans, R. I. Walton, P. J. Sadler, and N. P. E. Barry, Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 12898Combatting AMR: Photoactivatable Ruthenium (II)-Isoniazid Complex Exhibits Rapid Selective Antimycobacterial Activity
N. A. Smith, P. Zhang, S. E. Greenough, M. D. Horbury, G. J. Clarkson, D. McFeely, A. Habtemariam, L. Salassa, V. G. Stavros, C. G. Dowson, and P. J. Sadler, Chem. Sci., 2017, 8, 395Elucidating Nuclear Motions in a Plant Sunscreen During Photoisomerization Through Solvent Viscosity Effects
M. D. Horbury, W.-D. Quan, A. L. Flourat, F. Allais, and V. G. Stavros, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 21127Photoisomerization of Ethyl Ferulate: A Solution Phase Transient Absorption Study
M. D. Horbury, L. A. Baker, N. D. N. Rodrigues, W.-D. Quan, and V. G. Stavros, Chem. Phys. Lett., 2017, 673, 62Ultrafast Photoprotective Properties of the Sunscreening Agent Octocrylene
L. A. Baker, M. D. Horbury, and V. G. Stavros, Opt. Express., 2016, 24, 10700Photodynamics of Potent Antioxidants: Ferulic and Caffeic Acids
M. D. Horbury, L. A. Baker, W.-D. Quan, S. E. Greenough, and V. G. Stavros, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 17691Ultrafast Photoprotecting Sunscreens in Natural Plants
L. A. Baker, M. D. Horbury, S. E. Greenough, F. Allais, P. S. Walsh, S. Habershon, and V. G. Stavros, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2016, 7, 56Excited‐State Dynamics of a Two‐Photon‐Activatable Ruthenium Prodrug
S. E. Greenough, M. D. Horbury, N. A. Smith, P. J. Sadler, M. J. Paterson, and V. G. Stavros, ChemPhysChem, 2016, 17, 221Bridging the Gap between the Gas Phase and Solution Phase: Solvent Specific Photochemistry in 4-tert-Butylcatechol
M. D. Horbury, L. A. Baker, W.-D. Quan, J. D. Young, M. Staniforth, S. E. Greenough, and V. G. Stavros, J. Phys. Chem. A., 2015, 119, 11989Broadband Ultrafast Photoprotection by Oxybenzone Across the UVB and UVC Spectral Regions
L. A. Baker, M. D. Horbury, S. E Greenough, M. N. R. Ashfold, and V. G. Stavros, Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2015, 14, 1814Probing the Ultrafast Energy Dissipation Mechanism of the Sunscreen Oxybenzone after UVA Irradiation
M. D. Horbury, L. A. Baker, S. E. Greenough, P. M. Coulter, T. N. V. Karsili, G. M. Roberts, A. J. Orr-Ewing, M. N. R. Ashfold, and V. G. Stavros, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2015, 6, 1363Ultrafast Photo-Induced Ligand Solvolysis of cis-[Ru(bipyridine)2(nicotinamide)2]2+: Experimental and Theoretical Insight into its Photoactivation Mechanism
S. E. Greenough, G. M. Roberts, N. A. Smith, M. D. Horbury, R. G. McKinlay, J. M. Żurek, M. J. Paterson, P. J. Sadler, and V. G. Stavros, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 19141Solvent Induced Conformer Specific Photochemistry of Guaiacol
S. E. Greenough, M. D. Horbury, J. O. F. Thompson, G. M. Roberts, T. N. V. Karsili, B. Marchetti, D. Townsend, and V. G. Stavros, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 16187
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