A Chemical Childhood: the importance of curiosity, diversity and role models in science

A Chemical Childhood lecture poster

Abstract:

This is a rather personal account of my career in science, and I hope to show how important it is to accommodate the different, the curious, the experimental in people, including in children. I have been fortunate to be influenced by several role models who have done a great deal to shape my career and my approach to medical science. I have worked for several decades with people with various degrees of disability, and I hope to show how much they can contribute to our society. I will also give a few examples of our scientific successes that have had an impact on healthcare, as well as showing how the experimental approach to life outside the professional can be both satisfying and intellectually stimulating.