Q How did you first get involved with the RSC?

A  As a graduate student in Oxford, I was encouraged to attend the RSC scientific meetings that in those days were held in the Scientific Societies Lecture Theatre, just off Regent Street in London.

These were a fantastic opportunity to hear many of the best organic chemists in the world, in the highly convivial company of enthusiastic members of the UK chemistry community. 

Q  What do you hope to achieve as President?   

A  My mind is currently focused on an initiative designed to strengthen links between the UK and the Indian organic chemistry communities, a project whose gestation owes much to the outgoing division President, Ray Jones, and to RSC staff member Alejandra Palermo.

In July, a dozen British organic chemists from academia and the pharmaceutical industry, including myself, will travel to Goa to take part in a conference organized by India's prestigious National Organic Symposium Trust.

I hope the meeting will lead to a plethora of new scientific interactions, and also to the establishment of a new India-UK medicinal chemistry conference. 

Q What are you currently working on?   

A My research group has quite a strong bias towards the development and use of organometallic reagents and catalysts.

In Goa, I will talk about our work on the creation of chiral C3-symmetrical molecules, which are not only (in my opinion!) beautiful, but also can be used to probe fundamental aspects polymers and surfactants.

Later in the summer, in Japan, I will present our studies on how the Pauson-Khand reaction works. This fascinating reaction brings three small molecules together create a very useful building block for synthesis.

Better catalysts are needed for this reaction. A greater understanding of how it works should help their design.

Q How does the division encourage younger members?

A We support several annual regional meetings attended by large numbers of post-graduate students, many of whom present their work as posters.

The meetings include lectures from up-and coming postdocs, the result of proposal brought to the Organic Division by Helen Osborn on behalf of younger members.

Q  How do you spend your leisure time?

A I am delighted to say that my young children have reawakened my interests in swimming, rollerblading, skiing, music, and even non-scientific literature!