Dr Laura Vera-Stimpson

Dr Vera Stimpson joined Canterbury Christ Church University in January 2018. Before this, she worked as a lecturer in Chemistry and Forensic Science at the University of Kent.

Dr Vera Stimpson's main academic background is in Forensic Science and Materials chemistry, an area in which she carried out her MSc and Ph.D. research. Her MSc research was split between investigating the evidential value of weathered metallic paint samples using Raman spectroscopy and also investigating methods for the identification of heavy metals in soils for Forensic purposes. For this work, she received an award from the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. This work fuelled her passion for research, therefore she stayed at the University of Kent to complete a Ph.D. in Chemistry, researching the structural and magnetic properties of the layered inorganic compound Ca2Mn3O8, under the supervision of Dr Donna Arnold. This work was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and was completed in 2016. Additionally, she is a visiting researcher fellow at the University of Kent.

Since joining CCCU, she has taught in a number of areas in the Forensic Investigation program, but primarily within the chemistry and research elements of the program. She is also actively involved in outreach programs and is a STEM ambassador.

I am module leader and teach on a number of modules on the Forensic Investigation program. Including:

• Chemistry for Forensic Investigation
• Chemical Trace and Transfer Evidence
• Researching Forensic Investigation 
• Marks, Impressions and pattern evidence.

I have also supervised a number of MSc by research projects and PhD students

Dr Vera Stimpson’s research group focuses upon a number of subject areas, including:

1. Preparation of novel inorganic materials and the investigation of their physical properties in an attempt to establish structure – property relationships. In addition to understanding how changes to the composition and structure of materials can be exploited to fine tune specific properties within the material of interest, particularly its magnetic properties. Of particular interest are frustrated magnetic systems.
2. Developing new approaches to understand the distribution of Gun Shot Residue (GSR).
3. Developing methods for the enhancement of latent fingermarks.

​Dr Vera Stimpson’s research interests focusses upon materials chemistry and also how we can exploit the benefits of Chemistry to solve issues in Forensic Science, thereby bridging the gap between Forensic Science and Chemistry research.

• 2020 - Functional Materials Science conference
• 2019 - ISIS UK Neutron and Muon Science user meeting held at the University of Warwick
• 2015 - Poster contribution to the UK Neutron and Muon User Meeting held in Leicestershire, titled "Structural and Magnetic properties of Ca₂Mn₃O₈".
• 2014 - Oral contribution to the Solid State meeting held at the University of Glasgow, titled "Structural and Magnetic properties of Ca₂Mn₃O₈".
• 2014 - Research poster presentation at the ISIS student meeting held in Abingdon titled, "Structural and Magnetic properties of Ca₂Mn₃O₈".
• 2014 - Oral contribution to the School of Physical Sciences research symposium held at the University of Kent, titled "Structural and Magnetic properties of Ca₂Mn₃O₈".
• 2014 - Research poster presentation at Professor CNR Rao 80th birthday symposium held at Burlington House, London titled "Morphological control of magnetic behaviour in Ca₂Mn₃O₈".
• 2014 - Attendance to the UK Neutron and Muon Science user meeting held at the University of Warwick.
• 2013 - Research poster presentation at the Solid State meeting held at the University of Bath, titled "Morphological control of magnetic behaviour in Ca₂Mn₃O₈".