Dr Robert Bradshaw BSc, PhD, FHEA
Senior Lecturer in Analytical Science. Co-Placement Lead for Department of Biosciences and Chemistry.
Summary
I began lecturing in Analytical Science at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in 2016.
My research is predominantly in the fields of forensic and environmental science, making use of a plethora of analytical techniques, including; mass spectrometry, chromatography and spectroscopy. I am particularly focussed on the detection and quantification of contaminants derived from plastics and the analysis of counterfeit documents.
About
I obtained a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Bioscience from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and then went on to complete a PhD on a project entitled "Towards the integration of MALDI MSI into the current Home Office Fingermark Examination Workflow" under the supervision of Prof. Simona Francese.
During my PhD and Postdoctoral Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, I worked closely with the UK Home Office and West Yorkshire Police to develop this novel approach for the analysis of fingermarks obtained in criminal investigations. I have co-authored 16 of the papers published in this niche research area. I have written/co-written 4 book chapters on forensic science and mass spectrometry imaging.
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. I am on the committee for the North East Region Analytical Division of the RSC.
Teaching
School of Biosciences and Chemistry
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
I currently teach on a number of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Postgraduate courses in the area of analytical science/chemistry. This includes the theory and applications of a broad range of advanced analytical techniques.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
The detection and quantification of food contaminants derived from plastics
Food packaging has seen drastic changes over recent years due to increasing demands from the food industry. The packaging is often made from plastic material which contains additives to provide flexibility, strength and make them long lasting. This ensures that the quality of the food product is maintained. However, the rising demand for appropriate packaging has also seen an increase in awareness of potential food/environment contamination from components derived from the plastic material.
My research aims to detect and quantify potential harmful species derived from plastic food packaging/containers using a range of mass spectrometry (both profiling and imaging) and chromatography based methodologies. This will inform the safety of the materials that are currently being employed and the extent of leaching that may occur in different scenarios.
The use of mass spectrometry imaging in forensic science
I have extensive experience in mass spectrometry, in particular the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). This technique has the potential to provide both chemical and physical information from samples which could prove to be useful in forensic investigations. I apply my knowledge by working on a number of projects concerned with different forensic samples. To-date, I have co-authored 14 papers published in the area of mass spectrometry imaging.
I am currently researching the use of mass spectrometry imaging and spectroscopic methods for the identification of counterfeit products and forged documentation through ink/substrate analysis.
The analysis of latent fingermarks using matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry
Fingermarks are derived from a transfer of material from the friction ridge skin on our fingertips to a surface upon contact. Traditionally, the pattern of the ridges on fingermarks have been employed as a means of biometric identification. The development of the use of MALDI-MS to analyse latent fingermark residue can now allow for information on the endogenous and exogenous chemical content to be obtained which may be able to provide invaluable intelligence about an individual in forensic investigations.
This research, headed by Prof Simona Francese, first began in 2008. I have since co-authored 16 of the papers published in this niche area of science with work that has been supported by the UK Home Office and West Yorkshire Police.
Publications
Journal articles
Krishna, R., Langridge, J., Claude, E., Bradshaw, R., Cole, L., & Francese, S. (2025). . Analytica Chimica Acta, 1354.
Badjona, A., Cherono, B., Bradshaw, R., & Dubey, B. (2024). . Food Hydrocolloids.
Badjona, A., Bradshaw, R., Millman, C., Howarth, M., & Dubey, B. (2024). . Ultrasonics sonochemistry, 110.
Badjona, A., Bradshaw, R., Millman, C., Howarth, M., & Dubey, B. (2024). . Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 109.
Badjona, A., Bradshaw, R., Millman, C., Howarth, M., & Dubey, B. (2024). . Journal of Food Engineering, 377.
Badjona, A., Bradshaw, R., Millman, C., Howarth, M., & Dubey, B. (2023). . Food Reviews International.
Badjona, A., Bradshaw, R., Millman, C., Howarth, M., & Dubey, B. (2023). . Molecules, 28 (14).
Kjeldbjerg Lassen, J., Bradshaw, R., Villesen, P., & Francese, S. (2023). . Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 28 (13).
Badjona, A., Bradshaw, R., Millman, C., Howarth, M., & Dubey, B. (2023). . Foods, 12 (11).
Bradshaw, R., Wilson, G., Denison, N., & Francese, S. (2020). . Forensic Science International, 110643.
Heaton, C., Bury, C., Patel, E., Bradshaw, R., Wulfert, F., Heeren, R., ... Francese, S. (2020). . Forensic Chemistry, 20 (100271), 1-12.
Hogeling, S.M., Cox, M., Bradshaw, R., Smith, D., & Duckett, C.J. (2019). . Analytical biochemistry, 575, 10-16.
Scotcher, K., & Bradshaw, R. (2018). . Scientific reports, 8 (1), 8765.
Francese, S., Bradshaw, R., & Denison, N. (2017). . The Analyst, 142, 2518-2546.
Bradshaw, R., Denison, N., & Francese, S. (2017). . Analyst, 142 (9), 1581-1590.
Bradshaw, R., Denison, N., & Francese, S. (2016). . Analytical Methods, 8 (37), 6795-6804.
Patel, E., Cole, L.M., Bradshaw, R., Batubara, A., Mitchell, C.A., Francese, S., & Clench, M. (2015). . Bioanalysis, 7 (1), 91-101.
Groeneveld, G., de Puit, M., Bleay, S., Bradshaw, R., & Francese, S. (2015). . Scientific Reports, 5 (11716).
Bailey, M.J., Bradshaw, R., Francese, S., Salter, T.L., Costa, C., Ismail, M., ... de Puit, M. (2015). . Analyst, 140 (18), 6254-6259.
Bradshaw, R., Bleay, S., Clench, M., & Francese, S. (2014). . Science & justice, 54 (2), 110-7.
Bradshaw, R., Bleay, S., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M., & Francese, S. (2013). . Forensic Science International, 232 (1-3), 111-124.
Bradshaw, R., Wolstenholme, R., Ferguson, L.S., Sammon, C., Mader, K., Claude, E., ... Francese, S. (2013). . The Analyst, 138 (9), 2546.
Francese, S., Bradshaw, R., Ferguson, L.S., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M.R., & Bleay, S. (2013). . The Analyst, 138 (15), 4215.
Francese, S., Bradshaw, R., Flinders, B., Mitchell, C., Bleay, S., Cicero, L., & Clench, M.R. (2013). Curcumin: a multipurpose matrix for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging applications. Analytical chemistry, 85 (10), 5240-5248.
Bradshaw, R., Rao, W., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M.R., Bleay, S., & Francese, S. (2012). . Forensic Science International, 222 (1), 318-326.
Bradshaw, R., Wolstenholme, R., Blackledge, R.D., Clench, M.R., Ferguson, L.S., & Francese, S. (2011). . Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 25 (3), 415-422.
Ferguson, L., Bradshaw, R., Wolstenholme, R., Clench, M., & Francese, S. (2011). . Analytical Chemistry, 83 (14), 5585-5591.
Wolstenholme, R., Bradshaw, R., Clench, M.R., & Francese, S. (2009). . Rapid communications in mass spectrometry, 23 (19), 3031-3039.
Conference papers
Battle, R., Woodroofe, M.N., Clench, M., Bradshaw, R., Harrison, P., & Clark, B. (2013). A bioinformatics and proteomic approach for the identification of peptides derived from HLA class I molecules and presented by HLA-A*02. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, 40 (5), 414.
Book chapters
Bradshaw, R. (2023). MALDI MS Imaging of Cucumbers. (pp. 63-69).
Francese, S., & Bradshaw, R. (2021). New Chemical Imaging Approaches to Fingermark Dating by Mass Spectrometry. In Technologies for Fingermark Age Estimations: A Step Forward. (pp. 237-259). Springer International Publishing:
Bradshaw, R., & Francese, S. (2021). Chapter 15. MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging in the Forensic Arena. In New Developments in Mass Spectrometry. (pp. 359-386). Royal Society of Chemistry:
Bradshaw, R., & Francese, S. (2021). Chapter 15. MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging in the Forensic Arena. In New Developments in Mass Spectrometry. (pp. 359-386). Royal Society of Chemistry:
Bradshaw, R. (2017). . In Cole, L. (Ed.) Imaging mass spectrometry : methods and protocols. (pp. 149-163). New York: Humana Press:
Posters
Badjona, A., Bradshaw, R., Howarth, M., & Dubey, B. (2023). Ultrasound-assisted Protein Extraction from Faba Beans: Impact on Protein yield and Structural-functionality. Presented at: 37th EFFoST International Conference 2023, Valencia, Spain, 2023
Postgraduate supervision
Director of studies - Veronika Tibljas, Mass Spectrometry and Spectroscopy for detection of counterfeits and document forgery, Biomolecular Sciences Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
01/02/2023-Present
Director of studies - Qurat Ul Ann Farooq Mirza, Analytical determination of food contamination from plastic packaging, Biomolecular Sciences Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
04/02/2020-Present
Co-Supervisor - Abraham Badjona, Pulses for health and environment: Fava bean processing, molecular identification and analysis, 01/02/2022-Present – NCEFE, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ