Joseph Rufino Cordeiro with his daughters Mary Anne and Lucinda Cordeiro when the Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation was established in December 2020.
LONDON
The Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation (JRCF) in collaboration with the University of Oxford has invited applications for summer research studentships 2025 in Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Oxford, with accommodation at Worcester College.
The Foundation, which encourages applications from Goan or Indian students, was established by Mary Anne Cordeiro in December 2020 to honour the memory and legacy of her late father, Joseph Rufino Cordeiro, a Goan scientist and inventor, whose expertise in radio navigational aids and communications became internationally recognised.
RESEARCH STUDENTSHIPS
“After two successful years of summer research studentships, the JRCF is inviting applications for up to five awards for fully funded JRCF Studentships in sustainable chemistry over July and August 2025” said Mary Anne Cordeiro, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.
She continued: “These studentships will offer the successful applicants an opportunity to experience postgraduate research at the University of Oxford, enable them to advance research and inspire them to pursue postgraduate study and a career in Sustainable Chemistry. The grants offer them a rare opportunity to gain research experience at one of the most prestigious science departments in the world.”
She added: “Winners of the JRCF Cordeiro award will be assigned to a principal investigator and mentor for eight weeks in the summer of July and August. The principal investigator is a professor who is recognised worldwide in his field of research. Sustainable chemistry is used in the widest sense: It is not only green energy, but includes other ways that improve the health and well-being of everyone and extends to inkjet printing 3-D organs to ensure that patients do not have an extensive wait for donors of organs when they need a replacement (such as kidney or heart).”
“In addition, the student is given a mentor who is a postgraduate working in the group to guide in all aspects of research; for instance, it may be required to learn to use a particular type of equipment or do a special method for extraction of a product.”
Mary Anne said that during the eight weeks, the students are given free accommodation at Worcester College. During their stay at the college, these students meet other students in their cohort which helps them bond with the other students at Oxford.
“After eight weeks, the student would have experienced all aspects of research, becoming fully proficient in the requirements of their chosen field and a grounding for a career in research. They can then apply to any university to do postgraduate research after the graduation. In our case, all 8 winners of the JRCF Cordeiro award who underwent the 8-week course decided to pursue post-graduate research,”
JOSEPH RUFINO CORDEIRO
Joseph Rufino Cordeiro (1924-2021) invented a digital meteorological measurement system which was granted 2 patents in UK in 1983. His expertise in radio navigational aids and communication became recognised worldwide and his design skills were utilised in 27 international airports around the world.
“My father was a brilliant scientist/inventor and was proud of his Goan heritage manifested through his many philanthropic acts. He was a stalwart supporter of Saligao, and dutifully visited his family home there annually,” said May Anne.
“He supported many local and international causes to promote fellow Goans. He was delighted to become president of the Saligao Association UK in 1977 and sponsor the Mae De Deus Feast in Saligao in May 1984. Everyone who knew him considered him to be a gentleman of great integrity, strong faith and deep convictions.”
Details of the JRCF Studentships 2025 are available at:
https://tinyurl.com/23psv7e3
AKSHAT PAI FONDEKAR
This time last year, my parents sent me a link from The Goan newspaper encouraging me to apply for a JRCF studentship as this would give me some important experience as I pursued my undergraduate degree in chemistry.
When I did read about the studentships, I knew immediately that this was something I could not pass on. I applied to pursue a studentship in sustainable organic synthesis with the Smith group and fortunately, found myself in sunny Oxford in July.
Mary Anna Cordeiro, Chair for Joseph Rufino Cordeiro Foundation, along with Akshat Pai Fondekar at Oxford University.
Walking through the gates of Worcester College, a truly indescribable experience, you just have to be there to see it! A beautiful garden and lake, luscious green grass covering its sports fields and the resident ducks and geese having a gala time.
As I resided with four other recipients of the studentship, it gave me a chance to learn about their cultures and teach them mine. We got on well, having daily dinners and an occasional run in the park on the weekends.
On the academic side, I immersed myself into the research my group was carrying out, with a key emphasis on learning. My work focussed on synthesising triaryl oxonium ions (which are organic molecules that are configurationally stable compounds around an oxygen ion as the only stereogenic centre).
We analysed the restricted rotation of compounds imposed by varying levels of steric bulk around the oxygen centre. These crystalline compounds are novel, with uses in various industries (Pharma, Agriculture, etc) which are still unknown and varied possibilities derived from the stability of the triaryl oxonium ion.
I also got to attend a postgraduate symposium (as an undergraduate) and learn from academic stalwarts such as John F. Hartwig and Vy Dong. Eight weeks passed by in a flash and I was at the end of the road, just as I had started.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Oxford, with getting to conduct chemistry in state-of-the-art research facility, a highlight of my experience. A great project and great group made the transition a smooth one.
I am grateful to Mary Anne Cordeiro and the JR Cordeiro Foundation for this opportunity. A future in research awaits, thanks to an unforgettable experience.
(Akshat Pai Fondekar was one of the five awarded with a JRCF Studentship in summer 2024.)
