Dr Sarah Lovelock

I have always been fascinated by science, especially understanding how things work on a molecular level. My decision to study chemistry at university was motivated by a future career in the pharmaceutical industry, developing medicines that can have a real impact on a patient’s quality of life.

My school headmistress, Dame Helen Hyde, definitely had a positive impact on my academic journey and career. Her mantra was “I can do it, and I will do it”, and she really instilled this belief in all her students. This positivity has influenced my approach to science, encouraging me to tackle big challenges with determination.

My research is interdisciplinary, and I collaborate with experts from many different fields. This provides opportunities to continuously learn new things and encounter new perspectives, which motivates me in my research. Watching my research team develop scientifically and progress towards their goals is also incredibly rewarding.

A career in chemistry can be truly rewarding. Chemistry is a field that is constantly evolving in response to new environmental and societal challenges, and there are so many different opportunities and paths you can take. Stay open-minded, and don’t be afraid to try out different areas of chemistry.

The integration of AI and deep learning into chemistry has the potential to accelerate scientific discoveries and developments. We are already employing some deep learning methods in our enzyme engineering workflows that are having a significant impact on the speed of biocatalyst development. I’m excited to see how this field progresses over the coming years.

Chemistry underpins almost all aspects of daily life. The chemical industry produces medicines, agrochemicals, fuels, flavours, fragrances, and materials. It is needed to drive technological innovation, address global challenges, and improve the health and well-being of society as a whole.

A highlight of my career was receiving a prestigious UKRI Future Leader Fellowship, which allowed me to establish my own independent research group and start working on my own research ideas. It was a risk leaving a permanent position working in industry to pursue a less certain career in academia, but the award of my FLF showed that it was worth it!

Good research culture creates an environment that is inclusive and diverse, where all members can actively contribute and feel a sense of inclusion and belonging. I believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is a key driver of innovation as it enables creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking.

The field of chemistry is constantly adapting to address societal and environmental needs. Chemistry is being developed to improve food safety and security, healthcare and access to clean water, and clean energy solutions to tackle climate change.

Addressing big challenges like climate change and curing diseases requires a multidisciplinary approach. Working with researchers from different fields not only provides a broad set of expertise but also enables more creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking.

Phosphorous: it is a key component of my favourite molecule – DNA! It is very versatile. It is highly reactive, yet forms stable covalent bonds.