The Science Behind a Landmark Discovery With Konstantinos Thalassinos

Rhianna-lily graduated from the University of East Anglia with a BSc in biomedicine and completed her MSc by Research in microbiology at the Quadram Institute Bioscience in 2023. Her research primarily focused on the gut microbiome in pregnant women throughout gestation. During her MSc, she developed a passion for science communication and later joined Technology Networks as a Science Writer and Editor, where she works with the news team to cover the latest breaking news and produce Teach Me in 10 videos.

Professor Konstantinos Thalassinos is based at the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint venture between UCL and Birkbeck, where he leads research in advanced mass spectrometry. He serves as Academic Lead for the UCL Mass Spectrometry Science Technology Platform (MS-STP), providing researchers with the instrumentation and specialist expertise needed to tackle complex biological questions. A pioneer in ion mobility mass spectrometry, Konstantinos was involved in the development of the first commercial ion mobility mass spectrometer, the Waters Synapt, during his PhD, and has used the technology to advance understanding of biomolecular structures and dynamics ever since. His current work applies cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry to resolve structural ensembles, pushing beyond the limits of tools like AlphaFold. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences including ASMS and ACS, and mentors the next generation of mass spectrometry scientists at UCL.

Laura holds a BSc in Zoology from Queen Mary University of London, an MSc in Palaeoanthropology from UCL, and a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Royal Holloway, University of London. Her academic journey has been fueled by a broad interest in the life sciences and a passion for making complex science accessible to diverse audiences. Before joining Technology Networks in 2025, she gained experience across several areas of science communication, including e-learning, external communications, and science writing. Her work has focused on translating technical research into engaging, understandable content tailored for both specialist and general audiences. As a Scientific Content Producer for custom video content at Technology Networks, Laura is particularly interested in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public engagement through creative storytelling. Her work aims to support scientific literacy while highlighting the real-world impact of research and innovation.