Dr Selena Lockyer AMRSC

Ever since a young age, I’ve always been inquisitive about how everything works or what things are made from. I found it fascinating learning about all the different elements that make up our world. Starting from a broad interest in science, chemistry became a natural path to pursue.

Just being part of research and wanting to contribute something to the world and what people have discovered before us, I find very motiving. Standing on the shoulders of giants and forging the next steps would be a dream for me. There are so many challenges our world currently faces, and we have the opportunity to try and make a difference.

Completing my undergraduate at The University of Manchester was definitely a highlight, it's where it all started for me. Personally, it gave me so much: like-minded friends who were passionate about chemistry and many sporting families for support and motivation. It was such an enjoyable experience all around, and it opened the path which I’m on now.

A good research culture will come from working together across all scientific disciplines, collaborating with other researchers within our own field, but also with others so we can bridge gaps and forge new opportunities we may not have otherwise considered.

Every element has its unique properties and interests, hence the beauty of the periodic table. So, it’s very hard to have one stand out from the rest. However, I cannot get away without mentioning chromium since it is our chromium-based rings that have led to so many publications. Though I am currently enjoying working with titanium, which coincidentally also has the best song to feature an element as the title – sorry, lithium!