Charlotte Vale
About
In 2019 Charlotte received BSc (Hons) Physics from the University of Lincoln, performing two summer research projects "Statistical Analysis of Granular Media" under the supervision of Dr Fabien Paillusson and "Combinatoric Modelling of Hydrogen Bonding" under the supervision of Dr Martin Greenall, as well as writing a thesis on "A Geometric View of Electromagnetism" which was also under Dr Paillusson's supervision. They were awarded the Edward Delaval Prize for "best in year" each year of her undergraduate studies.
Following this, in 2020 Charlotte received MSc Mathematical and Theoretical Physics from the University of Sheffield, writing a literature review on "Low Dimensional Quantum Field Theories" under the supervision of Professor Elizabeth Winstanley and a thesis on "Paradoxes of the Quantum Aspects of Black Holes: Approaching Quantum Gravity through the Firewall Paradox" under the supervision of Dr Kento Osuga and Dr Andrea Brini.
In 2020 Charlotte joined the Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre with research interests spanning theoretical and computational chemistry and physics. Charlotte is working on their thesis "Multiscale Modelling of Biomolecular Spin Dynamics: From multi-drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the spin dynamics of radical pairs." under the supervision of Professor Brendan Howlin (computational chemistry), Dr Daniel Kattnig (theoretical physics and mathematical modelling; University of Exeter), and Professor Johnjoe McFadden (biology). Charlotte started the PGCert in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education in October 2022 at the University of Surrey's Institute of Education alongside their PhD. In March 2023, Charlotte took the role of Physics Lecturer in Foundation Year Studies at the University of Lincoln's College of Science before returning in March 2024.
They are an active member of the University and Student Union communities, as well as external learned societies, where she works towards the promotion of their field and equality, diversity, and inclusion therein. In 2022, Charlotte's postgraduate researcher representation work was recognised with a nomination for "PGR Rep of the Year".
University roles and responsibilities
- Quantum Biology FEPS PGR Representative
- SU's LGBT+ Society Postgraduate Students' Officer
My qualifications
BSc Thesis:
Title: "A Geometric View of Electromagnetism"
Supervisor: Dr. Fabien Paillusson
MSc Thesis:
Title: "Paradoxes of the Quantum Aspects of Black Holes: Approaching Quantum Gravity through the Firewall Paradox"
Supervisor: Dr. Kento Osuga
Affiliations and memberships
ResearchResearch interests
My research interests span computational and theoretical chemistry and physics.
- Molecular Physics: Quantum chemistry, electronic structure, and entangled system/radical pair dynamics;
- Quantum Mechanics: Quantum-classical interface, effect of noise on coherence/quantum thermodynamics, non-Markovian environments;
- Quantum Biology: Magnetic isotope effect and exciton dynamics in biomolecular systems.
Research projects
Spin Dynamics of Radical Pairs in Mycobacterium tuberculosisSpin dynamics is the study of the evolution of the quantum property of matter known as spin angular momentum (often simply 'spin'). I am interested in studying the spin dynamics of radical pair systems, where two 'lone' electrons attached to different atoms/molecules interact with one another. In the context of quantum biology, this type of research has been used to model the avian magnetic compass via the radical pair mechanism; this is probably the largest growing field within the discipline.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a system of interest as it is responsible for the deaths of 1-2 million people worldwide annually and, for example, HIV sufferers are 15-21 times more likely to develop active TB. There are also increased instances of mutations causing drug resistance (in this case resistance to the pro-drug isoniazid, mentioned in the Research Interests section), thus this study may not only develop the field of quantum biology but also help to combat this problem.
An Investigation of Non-Markovian Radical Pair Spin Dynamics in CryptochromeCryptochromes are candidate proteins to describe the mechanism of action responsible for avian magnetoreception, the radical pair mechanism. The radical pair mechanism has been the subject of much theoretical consideration, however the study of the spin dynamics of these radical pair systems via open quantum systems is novel. We consider environments ranging from strictly classical, through to quantum but within the Markovian limit, and finally quantum and in the non-Markovian regime.
Research collaborations
Supervisory Team:
- Prof Brendan Howlin (computational chemistry).
- Dr Daniel Kattnig (theoretical physics and mathematical modelling; University of Exeter).
- Prof Johnjoe McFadden (biology).
Research interests
My research interests span computational and theoretical chemistry and physics.
- Molecular Physics: Quantum chemistry, electronic structure, and entangled system/radical pair dynamics;
- Quantum Mechanics: Quantum-classical interface, effect of noise on coherence/quantum thermodynamics, non-Markovian environments;
- Quantum Biology: Magnetic isotope effect and exciton dynamics in biomolecular systems.
Research projects
Spin dynamics is the study of the evolution of the quantum property of matter known as spin angular momentum (often simply 'spin'). I am interested in studying the spin dynamics of radical pair systems, where two 'lone' electrons attached to different atoms/molecules interact with one another. In the context of quantum biology, this type of research has been used to model the avian magnetic compass via the radical pair mechanism; this is probably the largest growing field within the discipline.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a system of interest as it is responsible for the deaths of 1-2 million people worldwide annually and, for example, HIV sufferers are 15-21 times more likely to develop active TB. There are also increased instances of mutations causing drug resistance (in this case resistance to the pro-drug isoniazid, mentioned in the Research Interests section), thus this study may not only develop the field of quantum biology but also help to combat this problem.
Cryptochromes are candidate proteins to describe the mechanism of action responsible for avian magnetoreception, the radical pair mechanism. The radical pair mechanism has been the subject of much theoretical consideration, however the study of the spin dynamics of these radical pair systems via open quantum systems is novel. We consider environments ranging from strictly classical, through to quantum but within the Markovian limit, and finally quantum and in the non-Markovian regime.
Research collaborations
Supervisory Team:
- Prof Brendan Howlin (computational chemistry).
- Dr Daniel Kattnig (theoretical physics and mathematical modelling; University of Exeter).
- Prof Johnjoe McFadden (biology).
Teaching
Currently on sabbatical in the role of Physics Lecturer in Foundation Year Studies at the College of Science, University of Lincoln.
Graduate Teaching Assistant for:
- PHYM062 -- Quantum Magnetism & Superconductivity
(Marking).
Previously worked on:
- Physics Mock Examination Invigilator;
- BMS3090 -- Introduction to Mathematical Biology
(Demonstrating); - PHY3044 -- Advanced Quantum Physics
(Marking and demonstrating); - PHY3038 -- Special Relativity
(Demonstrating); - PHY2063 -- Energy, Entropy, and Numerical Physics
(Demonstrating [mathematical] thermodynamics and statistical mechanics); - CHE2043 -- Computer Modelling in Chemistry
(Demonstrating); - CHE2027 -- World of Work
(Demonstrating); - PHY1038 -- Mathematical and Computational Physics
(Demonstrating mathematical physics); - PHY1040 -- Atoms and Quanta
(Demonstrating); - CHE1040 -- Mathematics, Computing, and Statistical Skills
(Demonstrating).
External work:
- PHY3001M, University of Lincoln -- Advanced Topics in Physics & Physics Seminar
(Seminar on my research thus far, March 2021).