Can you introduce yourself and your background, please?
Yes, my name is David. I am a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry. My research focuses on medicinal chemistry. I have my undergraduate BSc in Chemistry from Fudan University in China, and after that, I came to Liverpool.
Can you tell us a bit about your research?
My research is in the field of medicinal chemistry. We work on developing new materials and molecules with specific functions, often aimed at being used as medicines. It’s a challenging area because most of the time, things don’t go as planned in the lab. When you're working on something new—whether it’s making a new molecule or developing a new material—you face a lot of trial and error. That’s just part of chemistry. We're trying things no one else has done before, so failure is common, but that's what makes the success so rewarding when it comes.
How would you describe the culture of inclusion within the chemistry department at the University of Liverpool?
I think it's very good, though some might say we could have more diversity and more students from different backgrounds. We are moving in the right direction. Comparing with the past, where maybe 10–20% of the department were female academics, now it's more equal. We also have many colleagues and students from various countries and backgrounds. I believe it will continue to improve.
Is there any advice you would offer to someone who is wanting to pursue a career in chemistry?
Yes, chemistry is not the easiest subject. Being patient and resilient is crucial. Often, things don't go as planned in the lab. You try new things, make new materials, or molecules, but there's a lot of trial and error involved. Failure is common, and the process can be long. Perseverance is key to getting through the ups and downs. I would also advise anyone joining my research team as a PhD student to ask themselves if they are genuinely interested in the subject. You shouldn't do it just because you don't know what else to do, or for the money.
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