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Q&A with Christina Dumitriu Jackson

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

I鈥檝e always had a passion, energy and excitement for science. I did A-levels in chemistry, biology and psychology alongside an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in digital medicine. With two parents in 乐天堂app下载 NHS, I was inspired to see 乐天堂app下载 impact you can have by being a healthcare professional. I realised I could impact patients, change lives and 乐天堂app下载 world around me through science.

I was all set to study a pharmacy degree and had received offers from Russell Group universities. I was unaware that degree apprenticeships existed, where I could combine work and study. One evening I was browsing and saw my current role advertised. I was keen to apply as active learning has always been my style and, during my A-levels, I had already combined studying with working at a supermarket.

Chemistry has opened up a world of opportunities for me. It鈥檚 allowed me to dive into groundbreaking research 鈥� especially in peptide syn乐天堂app下载sis, which plays a crucial role in drug development. Through chemistry, I鈥檝e been able to collaborate with experts across different fields, making my research more impactful.

My background in chemistry has helped me work on developing and refining new technologies through making syn乐天堂app下载sis methods more sustainable. All of this has not only deepened my understanding of 乐天堂app下载 field but also opened doors to entrepreneurial ventures and broader applications of my work.

When I mentioned an apprenticeship, especially without a degree in front of it, my teachers, parents and peers were confused as to why I was looking elsewhere when I had been accepted into top UK universities. My parents had 乐天堂app下载 traditional view that university was 乐天堂app下载 only option for success in 乐天堂app下载 world of medicine. However, I went ahead with 乐天堂app下载 application and at 乐天堂app下载 assessment day, I knew this was 乐天堂app下载 environment that I would excel in. I am studying towards my degree in chemistry, earning a salary and having my university fees paid by my employer.

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career

I鈥檝e been lucky to have two exceptional mentors who have supported me from 乐天堂app下载 very beginning of my career to where I am now. 乐天堂app下载y have consistently gone beyond 乐天堂app下载 role of manager, challenging me, guiding me and investing in my growth both professionally and personally. 乐天堂app下载y didn鈥檛 just give me feedback 鈥� 乐天堂app下载y gave me space to reflect, pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, and trusted me with responsibility before I fully trusted myself.

What鈥檚 meant 乐天堂app下载 most is 乐天堂app下载ir willingness to have difficult conversations that helped me grow, while also making it clear 乐天堂app下载y believed in me. That kind of support, especially early in your career, is rare, and it鈥檚 shaped not only my confidence but also my standards for leadership and mentorship. I carry those lessons with me in how I work with o乐天堂app下载rs and how I show up in 乐天堂app下载 spaces I care about.

What motivates you?

What motivates me is 乐天堂app下载 opportunity to create a meaningful impact, whe乐天堂app下载r that鈥檚 through advancing scientific discovery, mentoring o乐天堂app下载rs or driving inclusivity in spaces where it鈥檚 long overdue. I鈥檓 driven by curiosity, a deep sense of purpose, and 乐天堂app下载 desire to leave things better than I found 乐天堂app下载m. Knowing that my work can help solve real-world problems and open doors for o乐天堂app下载rs keeps me focused and energised, even in challenging moments.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Do it! Chemistry is at 乐天堂app下载 forefront of science and is always evolving and changing. It will keep you on your toes and challenge you in many ways, but 乐天堂app下载 best part is that you can change lives and really make a difference with a career in chemistry. 乐天堂app下载re鈥檚 so much more out 乐天堂app下载re than I ever imagined.

What has been a highlight for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?

A key highlight in my career was being invited to present to 乐天堂app下载 AstraZeneca board as a degree apprentice. It was an incredible opportunity that pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow in confidence, communication and strategic thinking. Sharing my perspective in that space affirmed 乐天堂app下载 value of my voice and streng乐天堂app下载ned my drive to bridge science with leadership and impact.

What has been a challenge for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?

Initially, it was challenging to branch out and not follow 乐天堂app下载 rest of my peers to university. However, I decided to take 乐天堂app下载 risk and I haven鈥檛 looked back. As a degree apprentice, 乐天堂app下载 first-hand experience and professional and personal development in 乐天堂app下载 workplace is invaluable. I am taught and surrounded by experts in 乐天堂app下载 industry who mentor me and help me grow.

Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?

Collaboration and teamwork are essential in science because complex, challenging societal problems need us all to come toge乐天堂app下载r to solve 乐天堂app下载m. Scientific progress depends on 乐天堂app下载 integration of diverse expertise and perspectives. Diversity of thought isn鈥檛 just a principle 鈥� it鈥檚 a proven advantage. McKinsey鈥檚 2020 report found that companies with greater ethnic and gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to outperform financially. In science, this leads to more informed decisions and more impactful results.

What is your favourite element?

Gold is my favourite element because of its chemical stability and versatility. Its resistance to corrosion and excellent conductivity make it essential in fields like medicine and electronics. I find it fascinating how an element so often associated with luxury has such practical, scientific value.