Dr Alexandra Gibbs

The wonder of serendipitous discoveries in the lab is a constant motivator - you never know what your latest synthesis will produce. Chemical space is amazingly large and we still have very limited predictive powers. The joy of tackling (and occasionally solving) puzzles adds to this to make my work so enjoyable day-to-day. I also find interactions with other scientists across all disciplines incredibly eye-opening and motivating - there is always something to take away even if the science seems at the other end of the spectrum to mine.

There are so many different paths you can take and chemistry is so relevant to both everyday societal challenges and the fundamental understanding of our world. If you enjoy chemistry, a degree is a great starting point for a career and you never know where it will take you.

Chemistry, by and large, is the only science where you can truly create new materials and modify existing ones at a fundamental level. This is the most amazing characteristic and really cements chemistry as the 'central science'.

A good research culture is enquiring, positive and inclusive. We all have the shared goal of understanding our world and a creative, collaborative and supportive culture is essential to drive this forward.

Teamwork is a hugely positive component of scientific research. I have had the luck to have worked with such a variety of scientists from different backgrounds and this has made all the difference in challenging confirmation bias and accepted wisdom in my thinking. My team currently involves people across the chemistry-physics spectrum and the complementarity is a constant motivator and source of both creative ideas and solutions to problems.

Osmium - I have a very strong attachment to ruthenium and iridium but the unique and highly flexible nature of osmium's chemistry and effects on physical properties makes it truly special.