Profile

In my work, I carry out research using high-performance computers (big machines) and software to simulate experiments and behaviours of materials for application in energy. I’m a computational scientist (chemist) which means I never go into labs! The desk in the picture below is my lab (it’s not usually that tidy).

I spend my days doing lots of different things from running and setting up simulations and analysing data to travelling to present my work at conferences. One part of my work which I enjoy is outreach, though I don’t get to do this so often. This involves telling primary and secondary school students about the work I do and showing them experiments using renewable energy technologies. I actually used my winnings from the I’m a Scientist competition in 2016 to purchase some equipment which I’ve included a picture of! I also attend the BTYSTE every year with the Royal Society of Chemistry so keep an eye out for me and say hello if you are there!

My typical day can vary quite a lot but most of my days involve carrying out simulations, analysing data and writing up my findings in scientific papers. Some days I spend time supervising and helping students with their research and I’ve done some lab demonstrating and teaching too.

Less typical days mean travelling (usually to different countries) to present my work at scientific conferences. So far I’ve been to the USA twice and different countries in Europe on multiple trips to talk about my work to other scientists.