Profile

Dr Rust is a materials chemist by training, primarily interested in smart materials, sensors and nanotechnology. Additionally, he is interested in fostering closer relationships between academia and industry, having held a variety of different roles in both areas.

He completed his BSc (hons) and MRes at The University of Surrey and subsequently took up a PhD position at Brunel University of London, joining the Sermon Group (https://www.brunel.ac.uk/people/paul-sermon). Here, he studied novel 3D printed nanocomposite materials for gas sensing, adsorption-desorption cooling and electrochromic coatings (https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/21005). During his PhD he also undertook a consultancy role for P8E Ltd, a company developing a novel plasma gasification system using waste materials. He was awarded his PhD in 2020 and undertook a brief postdoctoral role at Brunel.

Joining the start-up company ōForest™ (https://oforest.in/) as head of R&D, he was responsible for leading a research team in creating a novel range of nutraceutical foods and drinks based on a forestry flower from India. In just 3 years the company successfully developed this range and began sales, being awarded a “Great Taste Award” by the Guild of Fine Food in 2024.

Towards the end of 2023, Dr Rust moved to the School of Engineering at Lancaster University as a Senior Research Associate working on electrochemical sweat sensors in partnership with UltraPCS. This project involved human trials to support the demonstration of a closed loop human augmentation system. This project was ultimately successful, and he moved to join the Griffin Group (https://www.griffinresearchgroup.com/) in the Department of Chemistry. This role involved using ssNMR and capacitive deionisation methods to aid the detection and removal of PFAS compounds from water.

Most recently he has been appointed as an Impact Development Manager in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Lancaster University where he is responsible for guiding academics through the REF2029 submission.

Dr Rust is actively looking for new research opportunities both within academia and industry, including business development roles where he can use his experiences to help start-up companies to succeed.