Breadcrumb
Dr Dr Timothy Dickens
BSc, Chemistry 1976-1979 University of Kent.
PhD, Theoretical Chemistry 1979-1982 University of Kent.
Post Doctoral Research, Chemistry, 1982-1984 University of Oxford.
Scientist and IT Manager, 1984-2008, Glaxo.
2008- Head of II Dept of Chemistry, University of Cambridge.
2011- IT Coordinator, School of Physical Sciences, University of Cambridge.
2011-2013, Bye-Fellow, Peterhouse Cambridge.
2012- Head of IT, Scott Polar Institute.
2013, Official Fellow, Peterhouse Cambridge.
2018-2019 Acting Head of IT Dept of Geography (Sabbatical cover).
2019-2020 Senior Proctor, University of Cambridge.
2020 PhD, Theoretical Chemistry, University of Cambridge.
My own academic interest is the study of Dispersion forces and Exchange potentials. These are particularly relevant in calculating the physical properties of Molecular Crystals such as sublimation energies and packing arrangements. They are very important in determining the conformation of molecules and calculating the binding energies of compounds at drug receptor sites.
More recently I have been performing NMR Ring Current calculations on various congregate aromatic systems. This is an application of Graph Theory. Another application of which that has long fascinated me, is proving non repetition changes in Bell ringing. Sadly the use of Graph Theory in proving whether a peal is true is in decline as “brute force” computer simulation techniques have become more prevalent.
I published a revised edition of Chemistry of the Carbonyl Group: A Step-by-Step Approach to Understanding Organic Reaction Mechanisms.
- Official Fellow
- Tutor for Graduate Admissions
- Acting Steward
- Director of Studies in Natural Sciences (Physical)
- Chair of IT Committee
- Food and Wine Committee
- Graduate Admissions Committee
- Staff Committee
- Development Committee
- Education Committee (for sabbatical cover).
- Senior Information Risk Owner
- Former Senior Proctor
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