Victoria Atkinson
Following on from two generations of chemists, perhaps my choice to pursue the same path was inevitable. My childhood was full of home experiments, from the classic bicarb volcano to growing copper sulphate crystals on the window ledge!
I studied chemistry at the University of Oxford and completed my fourth-year master’s project working on catalytic methodology with Darren Dixon (which excitingly led to my first publication). Having caught the research bug, I decided to continue on to do a PhD, this time joining Jeremy Robertson to work on a total synthesis project, employing enzymatic methodology to produce agrochemical products.
Towards the end of my PhD, I found that I was enjoying talking about science much more than actually doing it and I became heavily involved in science outreach. Here I could share my enthusiasm for science with younger students through practical workshops and school visits, something which I always found very fulfilling. Later, I focused on developing new outreach material and have since made the transition to science journalism.
ResearchElectrochemical conversion of acids to alkenes achieved on kilogram scale
Efficient production of valuable alkenes achieved under mild conditions by reversing hydrocarboxylation reaction
ResearchClever ligand design enables alcohol-directed C-H activation
Despite being the most common functional group in nature alcohols have proven difficult to functionalise
NewsEuropean intellectual property system ready for gene-edited crops
Updates to New Genomic Technology regulations irrelevant to IP say experts
ResearchPyrolysed plastic waste converted into valuable chemical feedstocks
’Economic mindset’ shapes plastic upcycling approach
ResearchFirst high-pressure synthesis of iron polymorph found at centre of Earth
Recreation of ε-iron backs up theories on why seismic waves travel faster pole-to-pole following an earthquake
ResearchModel solves mystery of unique chemical garden growth
Beautiful inorganic crystal formations modelled in step that could inform understanding of self-healing materials or even the origins of life
ResearchFrustrated radical pairs cleave unactivated C–H bonds
New technique targets previously inaccessible bonds for selective C–H activation
NewsTwo-year suspended prison sentence for irresponsible home chemist
Conviction follows discovery of explosive precursors that led to evacuation of homes in Yorkshire
ResearchIce crystallisation initiated by ultrafast laser pulses caught on camera
Technique will aid understanding of early stages of water freezing
NewsFirst publisher abandons impractical elemental analysis standard as journals eye next move
Historical ±0.4% accuracy standard was discovered to have little evidence backing in 2022
ResearchFirst synthesis of unusual arsenic reagent reveals that it breaks periodic trend
Electron deficient arsenic intermediate challenges preconceptions of heavy main group elements
ResearchSingle crystal solar material outperforms commercial x-ray detectors
Bismuth compound could reduce patients’ radiation exposure from repeat x-rays
ResearchBenzene’s forgotten isomer takes centre stage in organic synthesis
1,2,3-cyclohexatriene proves to be an unexpected hit as a reagent in a wide range of reactions
ResearchRedesigned biopolymer solves thermal stability challenge
Chemical redesign makes PHAs easier to process and recycle
ResearchUnexplained increases in five atmospheric CFCs raise concerns
Emissions increased 2.6-fold between 2010 and 2020
FeatureThe complex chemistry of making paper
Renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, paper is the ultimate sustainable material. Victoria Atkinson looks at the clever chemistry that turns trees into sheets
NewsBudget day strikes hit science facilities across the UK
Industrial action across the country saw research institutes forced to close or cut services
ResearchPolymer shows some backbone as it becomes first with extended metal spine
Construction process for 21-atom-long one-dimensional nickel wires could find use in nanoelectronics