Professor Bhavik Patel FRSC

I first became passionate about chemistry when I was around 8 years old, where I would spend time in my uncle’s pharmacy learning about medicines. At that age, I was highly curious on how these medicines were made and more importantly how new medicines were discovered.

The ability to know that the research we do as chemists can provide vital information which can aid our understanding of disease and improve the efficacy of treatment.

I would tell a young person that chemistry is the gateway towards so many pathways and careers and is central to so many aspects of our lives. The skills learnt from studying chemistry can open a wide array of opportunities in many diverse sectors.

There have been some real innovative approaches to sensor fabrication such as 3D printing. These new approaches in the future will provide accessible and sustainable approaches in sensor development.

Our ability to branch our sensing devices into new and diverse areas of biology where such tools and resources have never been used before to provide new impactful knowledge.

Whilst progressing I have been subjected to racism, tokenism, and microaggressions throughout my career which has always been a challenge as you often felt like an outsider. I was blessed to have some great mentors who supported me and gave me confidence and I now continue to take on the baton and encourage more diversity in our chemistry research community.

Research culture to me is about an environment that provides encouragement, support and belonging. To me this is vital to build a great work dynamic that enables good wellbeing.

Chemical sciences are routed into all aspects of our lives and thus play a critical role in how we live. Therefore, from improving people’s health to protecting our environment, chemical sciences will need to be highly innovative and creative to meet these challenges.

All the greatest challenges we face in society require a multidisciplinary effort and thus it is critical to work within teams where all aspects of disciplines can come together to solve a common goal. Teamwork in science discovery is more critical than ever.