UCL chemist participates in launch of China­-UK network scheme

Fourteen scientists from institutions across the UK visited research centres, universities and institutes in Shanghai, to launch the Royal Society's new China-UK networking scheme which aims to bring together the best young scientists from China and the UK, to develop long-term partnerships.

Among the group was Dr Tanja van Mourik, a Royal Society Research Fellow in UCL's Department of Chemistry.

Dr van Mourik's research is concerned with the application of computational chemistry to biochemistry, particularly the stability of biomolecules in an aqueous environment. She spent a week in China as part of 'Think UK' - a six-month long diplomacy campaign organised jointly by the Royal Society and the British government - which aims to improve the perceptions of the UK among China's 'successor generation'.

The scheme provides start-up funding for scientists to explore potential collaborations. Typical modes that will be funded include one-to-one meetings or small seminars and workshops. Interested parties can apply for funding without prior prescription of the fields of research to be covered.