Over the past two weeks, I have taken part in
I'm A Scientist, a free online event where school students meet and interact with scientists, which is part funded by the RSC. I managed to make it to the final of the Drug Synthesis Zone (look at me still down with the kids!) but I lost out in the end to Sarah Ashworth, a postgraduate student at the University of Manchester (but then, Manchester only accepts the very best!!)
I’m A Scientist is a unique set-up whereby students can ask questions to scientists and wait for answers over a 24 hour period, and/or participate in the frankly insane online chat rooms. These last 30 minutes, and my fingers were destroyed after each of them! Not to mention the funny looks I got from my colleagues as I frantically hammered away at the keys!!
I’ve visited many schools over the years and it can sometimes be quite difficult to get them to ask questions in front of their friends. The relative anonymity provided by the I’m A Scientist platform does allow even the quietest teenager to get their questions answered, which can only be a good thing. It does, however, also lend itself to some more brazen questions from some of the more outgoing students. I’ve listed a few of my favourite questions (and my answers below) to give you a flavour of what’s in store should you be interested in participating in the next competition (something I would wholeheartedly encourage, by the way!).
What is the best advice you would give to someone who want to become a drug researcher?
Study a chemistry degree (stay away from specialised degrees like med chem, pharm chem etc.) at a good university and choose electives in your later years in organic chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology if you’re still interested at that stage.
Not pouring scorn on med chem degrees (have one myself) but I think specialising at this stage of your life is not required or a good idea. The world could be very different in 4 years time!!
If you were travelling faster than the speed of light in your car, what would happen if you turned the headlights on?
I love this question! I think that since your headlights are also travelling faster than the speed of light you would be able to see (if you climbed onto the bonnet and leaned into the lamp) that the lights were on, but you wouldn’t be able to use them to see the “road” ahead.
What is your favourite thing about university?
When I was in school, I was the geek. My locker key had a Klingon battle cruiser keyring and I got some abuse for that! University is so much bigger. No matter what you are into, there are people who like the same things, so you get to be yourself. You also choose to go to university and are surrounded by people who want to study the same course as you so you can really find kindred spirits. My degree and PhD experiences have had probably the most profound impact on my personality other than my family.
What do you think of superconductors and do you think they could ever be used to create a floating city?
I use superconductors every day in my work – they are the central part of the NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) machine that we use to prove we have made the right compounds. They are supercooled magnets of almost zero resistance that allow for high magnetic fields to be generated for our experiments.
This requirement for super-cooling (liquid helium at -263 degrees) is the key limitation to most superconductor materials and will prevent floating cities for the foreseeable future.
What do you think is the most important element?
Carbon! All of organic chemistry – has to be carbon
How long are your hours? Do you still enjoy science even though it is your job?
Around 8-5 usually, although we can be flexible with our working times. And yes, 9 years later I still love the job
I don't think this is particularly important to science, but do any of you believe in god? And do you think it’s important?
Yes, I have a deep belief in God, as do many scientists. When I look at the natural world, in particular the human body, I cannot be impressed by the statistical miracle that is our existence. I don’t follow any religion, and I’m not sure God actively watches over us, but I believe there is or was something more. You can of course be religious and a scientist, just as any other profession. Equally you cannot believe and be a scientist – it does not matter, as you say. Nobody can prove or disprove God’s existence and until such a day comes people’s beliefs are their own. Faith helps people through some really dark times, the placebo effect in drug trials is evidence of the power of the mind – so so long as it does not foster hatred or violence I am all for faith and belief.
What qualities make a good chemist?
Passion, willingness to learn, ability to work with others, a hint of insanity and a burning curiosity.
Does your job pay a lot of money
Well how much is a lot? I earn more than the UK average, and have done since day one of my chemistry career. I think everyone wants the dream job where they do no work and earn a six-figure salary. Let me tell you, that job doesn’t exist! Do what you enjoy first (after all, you’ll spend most of your adult life in work) and the money will follow, in my experience.
What is your favourite thing about science
Science is so important to our modern way of life. The fact that we can make people’s lives easier, safer and healthier whilst also improving our understanding of the universe is what I love about science.
If everyone in the world (6 Billion) was an atom and we all lined up in a long line, how long would that line be?
That would depend on the atomic radius of the atom in question. As atoms get bigger (more protons, neutrons and electrons) their atomic radii also get bigger (in general, there are some interesting trends as you go down and across the Periodic Table).
So for hydrogen it would be 25 E-12 times 6 E9 = 0.15 m. For caesium with a bigger radius of 260 E-12 this would become 1.56 m.
E-12 is scientific notation for 10 to the power of -12, also known as a picometer (pm). Personally I hate powers of ten – so I REALLY hope I’ve gotten this one right!
