Iain joined the group as a postdoc in 2022. His research uses molecular dynamics simulations to study the formation of ice on plant cell walls, in close collaboration with experimental researchers at the University of Durham. The aim is to identify the characteristics of cell walls that promote freezing tolerance in plants, which will facilitate the creation of crops with genes that confer improved resilience to freezing conditions.

Prior to this, Iain received an MSci in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde in 2017. Iain then went on to complete a PhD at the University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Philip Camp. The project, sponsored by BP, involved using molecular dynamics simulations to study the complex interactions between lubricants and metal surfaces in internal combustion engines.