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.
ResearchReimagining synthetic strategy with skeletal editing ticks box on chemists’ wish list
Selective heteroatom alkylation offers route to modify important drug building blocks
CareersBridging the gap after submitting a PhD thesis
Finding ways to fund students as they search for jobs and complete lab work for publications
ResearchSimple trick lets pure blue quantum dots maintain their performance without cadmium
Inserting sulfur into heavy metal-free nanocrystal lattice produced pure blue quantum dot LEDs
ResearchSkeletal editing targets double bonds
Two new techniques selectively install nitrogen atoms into complex molecules
ResearchUnusual radical reaction powered by strained substrates
Single-electron strain-release produces pharmaceutical building blocks
ResearchDesigner protein performs multi-step catalysis with life-like performance
Computer-designed enzyme competitive with nature for the first time
ResearchGenerative AI pipeline creates promising antimicrobial peptides
AI model extrapolates beyond training data to predict diverse antimicrobial structures
ResearchTuning polymer microstructure produces adhesive stickier than super glue
Manipulating monomer stereochemistry controls polymer properties
ResearchQuantitative mass spectrometry method streamlines high-throughput analysis
Screen of 384 chemical reactions evaluated for best of six reaction conditions in under 8 minutes
ResearchIontronic gel droplets detect beating heart tissue
Microscale hydrogels converted into biocompatable electrical components
ResearchLarge language models are better than humans at answering chemistry questions
AI models outperform human chemists in every topic area. But are they really better chemists?
ResearchMicrocrystal electron diffraction promises a revolution in study of proteins, small molecules
Technique offers a way to get around problems with hard-to-crystallise proteins, already scoring impressive successes with a Parkinson’s protein
ResearchParrots’ vibrant plumage controlled by single enzyme
Mutation in gene reveals control of red and yellow pigments specific to parrots
CareersHow taking part in extracurricular activities during your PhD can help you build your CV
Opportunities to take part in teaching, event organisation and outreach all develop valuable skills
NewsBeyond hydrogen bonding: new definitions for secondary bonding interactions to end confusion
The 20-year struggle to define secondary bonding interactions
NewsDisappointing AI judgment could have a ‘catastrophic effect’ on UK science
Warnings that loose legal definitions in case could also threaten innovation in chemistry
ResearchDesigner ylide transfers single carbon atoms
Single-atom carbon transfer reagent provides the latest breakthrough in skeletal editing
ResearchElectrochemical reaction outcomes controlled by customised AC waveforms
Programmed alternating currents allow researchers to choose between reaction mechanisms with the flick of a switch