ChemConvos

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Andryj Borys (@AndryjBorys on Twitter, He/Him/His), Post-Doc in Main-Group/Organometallic Chemistry with the Hevia Group at the University of Bern in Switzerland. A fan of Belgian beer, plants, and fitness, we discuss his journey to date and how he has become well-known as the Schlenk Line expert on all things air sensitive chemistry after publishing his Schlenk Line Survival Guide - link below. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com Schlenk Line Survival Guide: https://schlenklinesurvivalguide.com/

In this episode we are exploring the topics of mentoring, grad school life and networking with Stanna Dorn (@stanna_dorn) who is about to finish her final year of PhD in the Brown lab at the Indiana University! Hope you will enjoy the episode! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In the second part of our conversation with Dr LC (DrLCsquare on Twitter), we hear more about his day to day work at Merck and advice for those looking for career in pharma as well as how he has used Twitter to bring people together through the #SocialIsolationSocial that he and Dr. Stuart Cantrill started during the pandemic and his love of food too… If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In the first part of our conversation with Dr LC (DrLCsquare on Twitter), we hear about his role at Merck Pharmaceuticals as the Associate VP Head of the Small Molecule Process R&D Division, his love for all things golf and how a fascination with cooking great tasting and looking dishes led to the creation of a now viral Twitter hashtag… If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by the brilliant Dr Laia Vilà-Nadal (@laiavilanadal on Twitter), a newly appointed lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. We hear all about her journey from beginning her undergraduate studies in Spain to becoming a leader of her own research group in 2019. We discuss how the past two years with the pandemic and the shift to hybrid-working has impacted on being an independant PI and also hear her advice for other researchers wishing to pursue a career in academia. Dr. Nadal is an avid supporter of the #WomeninSTEM movement and is an advocate for removing barriers to enabling success in all areas of scientific research. Her research focusses on computational chemistry in relation to metal oxides & complex mixtures - more information can be found at: http://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/wp/lvn-group/ If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In our first episode of 2022 (and Season 2!), we're rejoined by two of our previous guests Dr. César Alejandro Urbina-Blanco (@cesapo) and Dr. Stuart Cantrill (@stuartcantrill). We reflect on our highlights of 2021, look forward to our hopes for 2022 and test our guests' knowledge on Taylor Swift and Negronis in a special end of year quiz! Hope you enjoy the episode! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by two up and coming graduate students in the ChemTwitter community and hear all about their journey's so far including what they like doing both in and outside the lab! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

Welcome to our festive ‘Meet The Hosts' episode! Medina and Henry discuss all things Christmas from their favourite traditions, music and movies! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by Harry Sample and we hear all about his travels around Europe as part of his PhD at PolyTHEA and about his fascination with all things cycling and barbershop - the musical kind not where you go for a haircut…!

In this episode, we're chatting with Dr. Jess Wade (BEM, @jesswade on Twitter), an Imperial College Research Fellow at Imperial College London investigating spin selective charge transport through chiral systems in the Department of Materials. We hear all about her journey to creating Wikipedia articles for improving visibility of women in STEM and how become increasingly interested in Raman spectroscopy as part of her research (and enjoying Ramen too!). Beyond her research, we discuss the importance of a supportive lab culture and what it takes to be a great colleague or lab-mate. We also hear about how much she enjoys art and the importance it can play in fostering critical thinking and scientific creativity from a young age. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by Dr. Brendan Burkett (@ChemScrapes on Twitter) who has become synonymous with sketch chemistry, going viral with a well-known chemistry meme! We hear about his journey from Australia to Singapore and how he first became interested in art at school, taking this interest into his career in chemistry, becoming fascinated with how we can portray chemistry through his unique sketches. Besides this journey we discuss our favourite Shrek characters and whether or not there's a philosophical link between science and art. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined Dr. Dani Arias-Rotondo (@Dr_Dani_AR). We hear all about her journey from her familial routes in Argentina to becoming an Assistant Professor, inspiring the next generation of young chemists! We discuss how she co-founded JAWSChem, a pioneering platform for connecting ECRs in the chemistry community and what she sees as the role of science alongside religion in the modern era. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by Dr. Kimberley Steward, a 2020 EWOC committee member, recently of Corteva US & the current global chemistry ingredients leader at Cargil. We hear about her journey with introspection, how she got to where she is today as a double-minority in STEM and how she works to empower women to pursue science through her advocation for equality and diversity. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by Nessa Carson (@SuperScienceGrl on Twitter) and we hear all about work in robotics and high throughput chemistry, her experience of moving from academia to industry, differences in workplace culture and the academic Atlantic divide between the US and the UK.

In the second part of our candid conversation with Chemjobber (@chemjobber on Twitter), we hear all about his philosophy around choosing the right career for you, his ideas about the greatest scientific breakthroughs, and even learn the secret of his favourite chemical compound! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by the infamous Chemjobber (@chemjobber on Twitter), who's alter-ego of a rubber duck has become a core part of the #ChemTwitter community! In this first part, we hear about his career to date, how he came to be the fountain of all knowledge when it comes to careers in chemistry, and his advice to those looking for roles after graduation. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode we're joined by Dr. Nick Chiappini (he/him, @ndchiappini on Twitter), who's currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Knowles group at Princeton. We hear about his research interests and long-term plan to become a professor, to his enjoyment of undergraduate teaching and his personal journey being a proud member of, and advocate for, the LGBTQ+ community. We also chat about his favourite books and love of all things ABBA! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

TW: This episode discusses sensitive topics around anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. In this episode, we're chatting with Dr Zoë Ayres (@ZJAyres on Twitter) about her personal journey with mental health, the mental health crisis in grad school, the importance of pronouns, academia vs industry and many more! Zoë has produced numerous resources for grad students related to mental health including award-winning posters. These and other resources can be found at her personal website: www.zjayres.com If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode, we're chatting with Dr. César Alejandro Urbina-Blanco (@cesapo on Twitter) about everything from his work in carbon dioxide utilisation for green chemistry applications, to his love of plants and Taylor Swift! We also hear about his time as a CAS Future Leader in 2018, his research career travels around the globe, and his new found enjoyment of Belgian beer! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode, we're chatting with Prof. Lee Cronin about everything from his work in automating chemistry & the search for artificial life, to what it's like managing a large group during a pandemic, all about his favourite cuisine and interestingly what his views are on the meaning of life. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: @chemconvospod@gmail.com

In our second episode we're chatting with Prof. Jen Heemstra (@jenheemstra) about her passion of advocating for DEI, Women in STEM and combating the stigma around mental health issues in academia. Jen shares her personal story about dealing with failure and how this changed her approach to creating a more welcoming lab culture and enabled growth as an individual in all aspects of her life. If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us!  On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: @chemconvospod@gmail.com

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Stuart Cantrill (@stuartcantrill), the chief editor of Nature Chemistry about future of scientific publishing, work-life balance during COVID, his love for new gin recipes and other random topics! If you have ideas for new podcast topics or would like to be a guest on a future episode, then please reach out to us! On Twitter: @ChemConvosPod Or email us: @chemconvospod@gmail.com

Welcome to the ChemConvos podcast, hosted by Henry Powell-Davies and Medina Afandiyeva, where we're all about finding the story behind the scientist...!