Professor Euan Brechin FRSC

I had great High School chemistry teachers – Mr Watson, Dr Power and Mr Evans at Preston Lodge High School in Prestonpans, East Lothian. It was my favourite subject and I really enjoyed the hands-on practical elements of mixing up a bunch of chemical ingredients to see what would happen. I still do!

I love making new molecules. I still have the same excitement in seeing a new structure now as I did when I first started. I really enjoy the teaching aspect of it too – being able to help students get a bit better is enormously rewarding.

Go for it! Don't let anyone or anything stop you from trying something you really want to do. Jump in with both feet, be willing to learn and embrace the knowledge you have to discover new things and have fun while you're doing it.

Our quest to find molecular iron oxides, the synthesis of molecular, frustrated Archimedean solids, and the discovery of Gd-based materials for cryogenic refrigeration.

It's all been a blast, I can't imagine a better career than being an academic. Intellectual freedom to do what we want, pursue our scientific dreams, and help educate and train highly talented students.

Funding. It's a shame that UK politicians don't take science seriously.

Hard work, rigour, integrity, imagination, enthusiasm. Fun.

Without chemistry we don't solve the world’s problems – it underpins society's efforts across climate change, sustainability, transport, energy, healthcare, IT, security and big data.

No teamwork, no science. Nobody can do everything on their own. It's how we learn to do things better.