Graduation is one of the most enjoyable days in the academic year. The Winter SEMS graduation took place on the 16th December 2025 and it was a privilege to welcome all our SEMS graduates as they make that momentous walk across the stage.

James was delighted to welcome back four recent Soft Matter Group (SMG) graduates. The PhD graduates were Dr Giacomo Sasso (funded by an EU grant) and Dr Evangelos Koliolios (was sponsored by SRI in Japan). Giacomo is still working in the SMG as a post-doctoral research assistant and Evangelos has joined Bridgestone in Rome as a R&D engineer.

The MSc graduates this year were Parinchaya Srithavorn, who is now a PhD student in the SMG and Omar Dilery. Parinchaya worked on a rubber pyrolysis project in collaboration with Contitech and Omar worked on a foamed rubber characterisation project with Zotefoams. Omar also secured the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Braziers Medal as the best materials MSc graduate in 2025.

James said that “All four were brilliant students, who have each made great discoveries as part of their research.”