Dr Erica Roberts MRSC

Winner: 2022 Award for Exceptional Service

RSC North Wales Local Section

For outstanding service to the Royal Society of Chemistry through our member communities and governance groups in Wales.

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My PhD is one of my greatest achievements, and probably the greatest challenge I’ve faced. I’ll always be proud of it.

Erica Roberts is currently a manager in the NHS working within informatics. The skills she uses on a daily basis, such as report writing skills, problem solving, numeracy, project management and experience of governance, all stem back to the transferrable skills she gained during her chemistry studies and experiences.

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Erica gained her MChem degree at the University of Wales, Bangor. After a year in financial audit, she worked for Almetron, a chemical blending and manufacturing company who specialise in chemicals for the metal finishing industry. Initially researching the synthesis and characteristics of a number of surfactants, she then began investigating corrosion protection systems for aluminium, which became the subject of her PhD. It was then that she became involved with the ChemSoc group, which grew from organising social events to careers sessions with local employers and industrial visits, and the RSC itself. Erica represented the RSC’s Younger Members at the EYCN’s initial meetings in Berlin and Madrid and served as a member of several RSC boards and committees.

After working for KPMG in Cardiff she returned to North Wales and has held a number of roles within local government and health services. She re-joined the RSC’s North Wales Local Section, and has been an active member ever since, serving in a number of roles and also chairing the Wales Regional Steering Group. Erica has particularly enjoyed inspiring the future generation of young chemists through organising outreach activities at the National Eisteddfod Science Pavilion, and is passionate about ensuring there are Welsh chemistry resources available to inspire the next generation of chemists in Wales.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

It’s the logic and numeracy in chemistry that first appealed to me in school – it just made sense. I chose to study chemistry at degree level as it seemed to open doors rather than be a specialist subject.

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

Chemistry is such a varied and vast discipline – I would certainly encourage someone to consider chemistry as a profession, there are so many different opportunities available. A degree in chemistry is also a hugely valuable asset: you learn so many skills in the study of chemistry that employers are looking for.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

My PhD is one of my greatest achievements, and probably the greatest challenge I’ve faced. I’ll always be proud of it.

What is your favourite element?

It has to be aluminium, the subject of my PhD. Light, strong, easy to form and corrosion resistant – most of the time! aluminium has a rare combination of a number of valuable properties.