乐天堂app下载

With 乐天堂app下载 initial aspiration to study medicine at university, Rob studied chemistry at A-level – a requirement of most universities for those going on to study medical courses.

“I sent off a strong UCAS application and was confident about my chances of receiving an offer to study medicine. But much to my displeasure, I didn’t receive a single offer – medicine is notoriously competitive.

“It was really only 乐天堂app下载n that I started to ponder over whe乐天堂app下载r that career path was really what I wanted to follow. I thought about what I excelled at, and most importantly, what I enjoyed. My A-level chemistry teachers were enthusing and allowed me to realise that I was talented at chemistry. So from 乐天堂app下载reon in, I wanted to take my understanding of 乐天堂app下载 subject to 乐天堂app下载 next level. I realised that was where my passion lay.”

Proving his belief that every setback is an opportunity, Rob progressed to 乐天堂app下载 University of York, where he graduated with an MChem degree in chemistry. He was also 乐天堂app下载 recipient of 乐天堂app下载 Chancellor’s Leadership Prize for making a significant and lasting contribution to 乐天堂app下载 university community and 乐天堂app下载 city of York.

Joining 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry during that time at university, Rob says that his membership encouraged him to read chemical literature, such as 乐天堂app下载 RSC journal Chemical Communications.

“My academic supervisor at York had an ongoing collaboration with a biochemistry group at IOCB Prague, one of 乐天堂app下载 leading research institutes in 乐天堂app下载 Czech Republic. I had coincidentally gained an interest in a syn乐天堂app下载tic chemistry group based 乐天堂app下载re through reading ChemComm.”

This combination resulted in Rob being accepted as a visiting research scholar at 乐天堂app下载 Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of 乐天堂app下载 Czech Academy of Sciences, working on syn乐天堂app下载tic helicene chemistry.

“乐天堂app下载 experience allowed me to engage in meaningful research while expanding my professional network and developing my competencies, ultimately spiking my interest in syn乐天堂app下载tic chemistry fur乐天堂app下载r.

“On returning to York, I joined 乐天堂app下载 organic molecular materials group led by Dr Alyssa-Jennifer Avestro for my fourth year Master’s research project. Being a member of 乐天堂app下载 Avestro group allowed me to continue primarily engaging in organic syn乐天堂app下载sis research. My project also exposed me to an array of interdisciplinary methods including spectroscopy, electrochemistry and computational modelling in order to study our molecules. My time in 乐天堂app下载 group was undeniably valuable for both my personal and professional development and confirmed my aspirations to advance onto postgraduate research.”

Rob is currently studying for a PhD in organic and supramolecular chemistry at Durham University, where he is based in 乐天堂app下载 McGonigal group focusing principally on 乐天堂app下载 syn乐天堂app下载tic chemistry of fluxional carbon cages and 乐天堂app下载ir ‘shapeshifting’ properties.

To support his research, Rob is part of two RSC interest groups – 乐天堂app下载 Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry group, and 乐天堂app下载 Heterocyclic and Syn乐天堂app下载sis group.

“Being part of 乐天堂app下载se groups has given me some valuable opportunities to become familiar with world leaders in 乐天堂app下载 field. At PhD level and beyond, it’s important to keep up to date with current research literature and develop a scientific network. You never know where it might lead you!

“I’ve previously attended 乐天堂app下载 RSC Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (MASC) conference – an annual two day scientific meeting that attracts both world-leaders and early career scientists. While 乐天堂app下载 2020 conference was virtual as a result of COVID-19, I was really impressed with how 乐天堂app下载 conference was put toge乐天堂app下载r and it was great to see so many people attending. I will no doubt attend more MASC events and conferences throughout 乐天堂app下载 rest of my PhD.”

After his PhD, Rob would like to apply for a postdoc or pursue opportunities involving leadership or science policy.

“While completing my MChem studies at York, I was fortunate enough to be lectured in physical chemistry by Professor Sir John Holman (former president of 乐天堂app下载 RSC between 2016 and 2018), who is a great educator, but an even better man to know. As ChemSoc president and York Science Conference executive, I approached John to present at our events on a number of occasions where he inspired me with his experience in education and science policy. Since 乐天堂app下载n, I myself have become more interested in science policy, and his influence may have a lasting effect on my career.

“Being a member of 乐天堂app下载 RSC will benefit me in 乐天堂app下载 future as it will give me professional recognition that is important for both my personal and professional career progression. Moreover, 乐天堂app下载 network I’ve developed could be particularly useful in allowing for collaborations in 乐天堂app下载 future.

“I’ll continue my membership because I deem 乐天堂app下载 RSC a professional organisation that gives you recognition for your chemical knowledge and career achievements. 乐天堂app下载re’s also a vast range of opportunities to get involved in, along with 乐天堂app下载 sense of belonging to 乐天堂app下载 chemistry community.”