Ruth Edge

Ordinary member

My principal research interests involve free radical research in radiation and photochemistry, in particular, studying the spectroscopy and kinetics of free radicals and excited states in chemistry, biology and medicine. My main areas of interest are the radical and excited state mechanisms of dietary carotenoids and other antioxidants (to understand how these compounds affect the progress of a wide range of diseases) and the damage radicals inflict on the basic biological building blocks of proteins, DNA and RNA. Other interests include radical reactions in industrial processes, such as, inorganic radicals related to bleaching, and radical reactions in polymers, such as radiation curing and damage.

I currently work at The University of Manchester’s Dalton Cumbrian Facility (DCF) as an experimental officer and laboratory manager, where I am responsible for the management and operation of the gamma irradiator, x-ray cabinet irradiator and much of the analytical chemistry equipment, including various spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Related duties include liaising with external users to determine their requirements and calculate costs, as well as providing training and support to all users of the equipment. I am also a Radiation Protection Supervisor and look after the dosimetry for all of DCF. 

I have more than 20 years’ experience of free radical research in both radiation and photochemistry, working previously at Keele University, CEA Saclay, Leiden University and at Daresbury Laboratory as a Station Scientist at the Free Radical Research Facility, where I ran nano-second laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis equipment. I subsequently moved to The University of Manchester as manager of the EPSRC National EPR Service Centre, where I looked after a suite of EPR spectrometers. I have worked for DCF since July 2010, before construction of the actual building had even begun, and was responsible for procuring most of the original equipment. To date, I have written or contributed to more than 100 published papers in peer-reviewed journals and have written several book chapters. I am also on the editorial board of the journal ‘Antioxidants’.

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