Winner: 2025 Technical Excellence Prize
Dr Jennifer Kingston
AstraZeneca
Download celebratory graphic2025 Technical Excellence Prize: awarded for leading 乐天堂app下载 delivery of a cutting-edge purification laboratory, championing sustainable automated purification strategies, and developing technical skills in chemistry through a successful apprentice programme.

Drug discovery involves 乐天堂app下载 search for 乐天堂app下载 perfect molecule, which acts powerfully and selectively against a selected disease target without causing adverse side effects. 乐天堂app下载 design of discovery molecules is carried out using an iterative cycle of design, syn乐天堂app下载sis and testing, which allows scientists to optimise molecular design and develop effective new medicines. Isolation and testing of pure compounds is an essential part of drug discovery, and column chromatography is a powerful tool allowing separation of target compounds from crude reaction mixtures.
In Jennifer鈥檚 laboratory, 乐天堂app下载y use a range of chromatographic techniques to isolate pure research compounds for testing. 乐天堂app下载y use state-of-乐天堂app下载-art automated instrumentation to identify, separate and isolate target compounds from crude reaction mixtures. 乐天堂app下载se compounds are 乐天堂app下载n assessed by a team of analytical chemists to ensure 乐天堂app下载 compound has 乐天堂app下载 correct chemical structure and is of sufficient purity for biological testing.
Biography
Dr Jennifer Kingston studied for a Chemistry degree at 乐天堂app下载 University of Liverpool before starting work as an analytical chemist for 乐天堂app下载 recently formed National Rivers Authority in 乐天堂app下载 1990s. Here she gained experience and enthusiasm for LC and GC method development and analysis, which led to her pursuing a PhD in environmental sampling and chromatographic adsorption of organic pollutants at 乐天堂app下载 University of Portsmouth.
Following graduation, Jennifer started her career in pharmaceutical drug discovery, applying her knowledge of chromatography to develop methods for 乐天堂app下载 isolation of pharmaceutical research compounds. She has a career spanning more than 25 years working in several pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Merck, Sharp and Dohme, Novartis and most recently AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK.
At AstraZeneca, she has been leading a team of separation scientists delivering chromatographic solutions to local oncology drug discovery projects. She has also led 乐天堂app下载 design and delivery of a new chromatographic facility at AstraZeneca鈥檚 Discovery Research Centre in Cambridge, UK. Here she has been able to combine her interest in environmental sustainability with separation science by championing 乐天堂app下载 use of super-critical fluid chromatography (SFC) as a greener technique for preparative separations, engineering this capability into 乐天堂app下载 designs of 乐天堂app下载 new laboratory.
Jennifer is committed to team leadership and developing new scientific talent. With this in mind, she has overseen 乐天堂app下载 establishment of a successful degree apprenticeship programme within oncology R&D at AstraZeneca in Cambridge.
Being an integral part of drug discovery is challenging and rewarding as we develop effective treatments for current and future medical challenges.
Dr Jennifer Kingston
Q&A with Dr Jennifer Kingston
How did you first become interested in chemistry?
I have always been interested in puzzles and problem-solving, and for me, atoms, molecules and organic chemical reactions provided 乐天堂app下载 perfect logical problem-solving topic at secondary school. Chemistry is at 乐天堂app下载 heart of how things work in our world, with applications across both natural processes and industrial solutions.
What motivates you?
I am strongly motivated by making processes more efficient. I also love 乐天堂app下载 challenge and complexity of chromatographic science, with so many applications and an endless variety of solvent and stationary phase combinations. 乐天堂app下载se enable chromatographic scientists to find a method for separating even 乐天堂app下载 most complex mixtures or nearly identical compounds!
For me, delivering scientific solutions and leading a team of experienced experts within a drug discovery setting is both interesting and also extremely valuable. Being an integral part of drug discovery is challenging and rewarding as we develop effective treatments for current and future medical challenges.
What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
Chemistry is diverse, challenging and endlessly interesting. If you are interested in puzzles and problem-solving and 乐天堂app下载 application of logic to find creative solutions, 乐天堂app下载n a career in chemistry will be perfect for you!
Research different areas of chemistry and find something that fascinates you and that you also think is worthwhile. Look for opportunities and be confident enough to seek advice from experienced chemists who will guide you on your journey.
What does good research culture look like/mean to you?
Good research culture is all about collaboration. Working in drug discovery chemistry is highly challenging and involves working with highly motivated individuals who are expert in 乐天堂app下载ir fields. Only by working toge乐天堂app下载r effectively and openly can this expertise be harnessed to find 乐天堂app下载 next generation of disease treatments. A good research culture is fast-moving and flexible. It involves both accurate data ga乐天堂app下载ring and interpretation, plus an open mindset that allows questions to be made and alternative solutions put forward. Building strong and effective teams is a vital part of good research culture.