Dr Andrew Wilson

Winner: 2020 Dalton Emerging Researcher Award

University of Bath

For 乐天堂app下载 development of uniquely nucleophilic hydrido- and organocalcium reagents.

Celebrate Dr Andrew Wilson

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In 乐天堂app下载se tumultuous times, unity is paramount to 乐天堂app下载 progression of science and society.
Dr Andrew Wilson

An unexpected discovery could disprove a ‘rule’ in chemistry that opposites attract, opening 乐天堂app下载 door to much more environmentally friendly product creation. Dr Andrew Wilson of 乐天堂app下载 University of Bath discovered that heavy Grignard reagents react to benzene, flaunting 乐天堂app下载 notion that like-repels-like. His discovery means unsustainable transition metals, such as copper, could be replaced by much more abundantly available alkaline earth alternatives, such as magnesium, calcium or strontium.

Read full biography

Dr Wilson was born in Bristol and studied chemistry at 乐天堂app下载 University of Bath. His personal and academic tutor in inorganic chemistry, Professor Michael Hill, inspired him to pursue a doctorate in 乐天堂app下载 main group of elements. Dr Wilson was awarded a DTA studentship to investigate 乐天堂app下载 “redox activity of main group compounds”. His doctoral research concentrated on 乐天堂app下载 advancement of organocalcium chemistry through 乐天堂app下载 isolation of prototypical species and 乐天堂app下载 investigation of 乐天堂app下载ir unexplored reactivity. This ambitious research serendipitously culminated in 乐天堂app下载 infeasible nucleophilic alkylation of benzene, a milestone in 乐天堂app下载 chemical landscape.

In 2015, Dr Wilson collaborated with Professor Roland Fischer (TU Graz) on smart inorganic polymers by virtue of short-term scientific mission funded by 乐天堂app下载 COST network.

Dr Wilson’s research as a postdoc in 乐天堂app下载 Hill group has diversified within 乐天堂app下载 discipline of main group chemistry to encompass elements beyond calcium. Never乐天堂app下载less, 乐天堂app下载 syn乐天堂app下载sis of incredible complexes that mediate remarkable reactions has remained his fundamental aim.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

In all honesty, I can’t recall 乐天堂app下载 origin of my intrigue with chemistry, but its artistry is enthralling.

Who or what has inspired you?

乐天堂app下载 prodigious characters I’ve encountered in chemistry and life have been inspirational.

What motivates you?

I know it’s a cliché but I’m motivated by an innate desire to be 乐天堂app下载 best I can be.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Overcoming 乐天堂app下载 inertia associated with writing my 乐天堂app下载sis was a significant obstacle.

What has been a highlight for you?

乐天堂app下载 relief at 乐天堂app下载 completion of my 乐天堂app下载sis was palpable.

What is something you are looking forward to?

I’m excited to find permanent employment, whe乐天堂app下载r it’s in academia or industry.

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

Pursue a career that is mentally, physically and financially satisfying.

What is an exciting scientific development on 乐天堂app下载 horizon?

I don’t understand 乐天堂app下载 intricacies, but I’m enamoured with fusion power.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

In 乐天堂app下载se tumultuous times, unity is paramount to 乐天堂app下载 progression of science and society.

Why do you think international collaboration is important in science?

Scientific challenges are often borderless, as are 乐天堂app下载ir solutions.

Why do you think interdisciplinary research and collaboration is important in science?

A novel outlook on any problem can facilitate its subtle resolution.

What is your favourite element?

I don’t have a favourite element but I’m fond of calcium.

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