PhD Researcher exploring light–matter interactions in chiral nanostructures

Exploring light, chirality, and nanoscale structure.

I am a PhD researcher at the University of Glasgow working at the interface of physics, nanoscience, chemistry, and optical microscopy. My work focuses on chiral plasmonic nanostructures, fluorescence, optical spectroscopy, and nanoscale light–matter interactions.

About

A physics background, now applied to experimental nanophotonics.

My academic path began in theoretical physics, continued through nanoscience and nanotechnology, and now sits within experimental chemistry and nanophotonics. I am interested in how nanoscale structure, symmetry, and material response shape the behaviour of light.

Alongside research, I write about scientific thinking, technical learning, PhD life, health, routine, and the process of building a coherent professional identity across disciplines.

Research

Chiral plasmonics, fluorescence, and optical sensing.

My research focuses on chiral plasmonic nanostructures and their interaction with fluorescent emitters, with the aim of understanding and developing sensitive optical platforms for chiral light–matter interactions.

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Chiral plasmonics

Left-handed and right-handed nanostructures, optical rotation, circular dichroism, and chiral light–matter interactions.

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Fluorescence microscopy

Photoluminescence, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, and time-correlated single photon counting.

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Simulation and theory

COMSOL modelling, electromagnetic field distributions, optical chirality, resonance behaviour, and nanoscale sensing.

Publications

Journal publications and academic outputs.

Selected peer-reviewed work, with links to the published article and citation details.

Journal article

Optical write–erase chemical memory state in plasmonic nanoarrays

M. Murad et al.

Chemical Science, Royal Society of Chemistry · 2026

View DOI ↗
Projects

Selected work and case studies.

A mixture of research, fabrication, simulation, microscopy, data analysis, and reflective personal systems.

PhD research

Chiral plasmonic nanostructures for optical sensing

Studying how nanoscale left-handed and right-handed gold-coated structures interact with fluorescent emitters and biomolecular layers.

Case study coming soon →
Microscopy and spectroscopy

Fluorescence lifetime imaging on plasmonic arrays

Using FLIM and photoluminescence measurements to study emitter behaviour near nanostructured plasmonic surfaces.

Case study coming soon →
Simulation

COMSOL modelling of chiral nanostructures

Building electromagnetic simulations to understand reflectivity, field distributions, optical rotation, and resonance tuning.

Case study coming soon →
Cleanroom and devices

GaAs micro-LED fabrication and testing

Cleanroom fabrication, photolithography, metal contact deposition, lift-off, rapid thermal annealing, mesa etching, and device testing.

Case study coming soon →
Nanomaterials

Electrospun nanofibres and SEM-based morphology analysis

Polymer-assisted electrospinning, scanning electron microscopy, and morphology analysis of fibre diameter and structure.

Case study coming soon →
Health, data, and routine

A data-driven approach to staying healthy during a PhD

Using long-term weight tracking, diet structure, and routine building to improve health, energy, and focus during full-time research.

Case study coming soon →
Writing

Technical notes, research reflections, and PhD life.

I use writing to refine ideas, explain science clearly, and reflect on the habits and systems that support research life.

CV

Download my CV

A concise overview of my education, research experience, technical skills, publications, and selected projects.

CV coming soon
Contact

Open to research discussions, collaborations, and industry opportunities.