Background

Joshua studied at University College London for his MSci (2013) under Prof. Jim Anderson. He received his industry-based Ph.D (2017) from the GlaxoSmithKline/University of Strathclyde Collaborative Ph.D Programme under the supervision of Prof. John. A. Murphy (Strathclyde) and Dr. Matthew P. John (GSK).
His postdoctoral studies in Japan (2017-2019) with Prof. Yasuo Norikane (Molecular Assembly Group, AIST Tsukuba) and Prof. Yoshitaka Hamashima (University of Shizuoka) specialized in flow chemistry and photoredox catalysis.
His independent career started in 12.2019 at the University of Regensburg, Germany, supported by a Sofja Kovalevskaja Award, where his group investigated photo-, electro-, photoelectro- and continuous flow organic synthesis. He was subsequently appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Regensburg (2024).
In 09.2024, he joined the University of Strathclyde as a Reader in Chemistry.

LinkedIn Profile

Google Scholar Account of JPB 

Google Scholar Account of the Barham Lab

Photoelectrochemistry:
The Barham Lab is pioneering synthetic photoelectrochemistry as a next-generation tool for organic synthesis in Europe. The synergy of visible light and electrical energy has been employed for decades in water splitting to hydrogen, but only recently was used to power the synthesis of higher value complex organic molecules (natural products, pharmaceuticals). Synthetic photoelectrochemistry (PEC) is receiving notable attention due to its enhanced scope of redox transformations, sustainability, and selectivity compared to photo- or electrochemistry alone. In particular, it allows to engage particularly stubborn molecules in redox (persistent pollutants, biomass molecules).

Aggregation in Photochemistry
Related to our efforts in PEC, we find aggregation is becoming more and more relevant in a broader sense in photochemistry, but is generally poorly understood / leveraged. Understanding how organic molecules aggregate at the typical synthetic reaction concentrations (mM) will unlock the next generation of selective photochemical processes. We have probed the mechanisms of various photochemical and PEC reactions in collaboration with expert spectroscopists and computational chemists. In particular, our pioneering contribution to the field of PEC thusfar was the discovery of non-covalent aggregates (pi-stacking) to rationalize i) how ultrashort-lived photoexcited radical ions could ever do productive photochemical reactions, ii) how such species allow for the first time photochemistry from higher excited states in an 'anti-Kasha' fashion.

Flow Chemistry
We specialize in continuous flow chemistry and process design optimization. In particular, we are interested in
1) Gas-liquid flow photochemistry, unlocking reaction spaces that are more challenging for batch reactors,
2) how the combination of microwave heating and flow chemistry unlocks kg-scale high temperature reactions in an energy efficient manner.
3) reactor design for photochemical and photoelectrochemical flow reactors.
We are moving towards digitalization and automation of flow processes and PEC reactions.


Vision:
Our vision is to leverage the power of PEC to transform persistent pollutants and biomass-derived molecules into useful chemicals as the future building blocks for organic synthesis. This will feed into the movement away from fossil-fuel derived building blocks towards a more circular economy for organic synthesis.

Project HELIOS
Having already made steps towards that vision, we realize that thusfar in the field only one 'half-cell' of the photoelectrochemical cell is being utilized while the other half is sacrificed. This generates waste and limits cell (Faradaic) energy efficiencies. In our current EPSRC / UKRI (former ERC StG) award "Hybrid Electrochemically-paired Light Irradiated Organic Synthesis" (HELIOS), we aim to pair the two reactions in a photoelectrochemical cell in order to:
i) achieve breakthrough energy efficiencies
ii) combine intermediates from each half-cell in novel, creative transformations that maximize mass conservation.
iii) convert cheap, inert feedstock chemicals into value-added, pharmaceutical scaffolds.

For more information, see:
HELIOS Press Release University of Regensburg

For more information about our research group / publications, visit our website:
AK Barham Website

For two relevant quotes from historically famous scientists:

“Electricity is often called wonderful, beautiful; but it is only so in common with the other forces of nature” - Michael Faraday, FRS

"On the arid lands there will spring up industrial colonies without smoke and without smokestacks; forests of glass tubes will extend over the plains and glass buildings will rise everywhere; inside of these will take the photochemical processes that hitherto have been the guarded secret of the plants, but that will have been mastered by human industry. 

And if in a distant future the supply of coal becomes completely exhausted, civilization will not be checked by that, for life and civilization will continue as long as the sun shines!" - Giacomo Caimician

University of Strathclyde:

- CH485/594 - Key Reactions in Organic Chemistry

- CH208 - Small Group Tutorials

University of Regensburg:

- SynCat Seminar Synthesis - How to Write a Research Proposal

Other / Blogs:

- Seven Strategies for Scientists to Communicate their Research and Create a Brand (Elsevier)