Impossibles: Your Stories of Scientific Advancement

Naman Rao is a dentist-scientist originally from India, now working in Boston to improve early diagnosis of malignant oral disorders. He discusses how simplicity is key when developing research for a global context.

Natalia Manousi is an analytical chemist in Greece researching new ways to reduce the environmental impact of her field. She explains what this involves and why it’s so important.

Cell biologist Emily Sey is researching the immune response to life-threatening fungal infections – she describes how big picture thinking helps her take every setback and success in her stride.

Pardis Sabeti is a professor of computational biology, working to predict and track future infectious disease outbreaks. She explains how sharing data will help us win the war on infectious disease.

WhiteFeather Hunter is a Canadian researcher pursuing a Ph.D. at The University of Western Australia. She told us about her work on menstrual blood products and what ‘women in STEM’ really means to her.

Yang Gan is a material chemist, studying methods to improve sapphire utilization in LED manufacturing – he tells us how curiosity is the key to scientific innovation.

María Isabel Amorín is a MSc student at the University of Edinburgh and the creator of CrustaTec, a project that aims to solve two of Guatemala’s biggest environmental problems in one go.

Amritpal Singh Chaddha is a geochemist in India studying how rock varnish formation can unravel the mysteries of past climates.

Dr. Ayse Turak followed the curiosity cultivated by her parents all the way to her current project: helping satellite communications break through the clouds. 

Dr. Barbara Guinn is looking to find ways for a faster diagnosis of endometriosis. She tells us about the women who inspire her to pursue her work and why it’s so important.

At the University of Regina in Canada, Christian Nwosu is striving towards cheap and abundant hydrogen fuel – he tells us all about his methods and what inspires him.  

Having recently completed his Ph.D., Dr. Fahad Shafiq is on a mission to boost crop productivity and feed our growing global population – here he tells us about his inspiration.

Professor Frederick West tells us how a discussion with a Ph.D. student informed his current work on antiviral drugs to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Gabriel dos Passos Gomes is involved in cutting-edge work using artificial intelligence to improve chemical reactions – he tells us how he’s inspired by the people around him.

Dr. Julian West is a chemist focused on the field of organic synthesis. He reminds us to always be on the lookout for inspiration from other people and other disciplines of research.

Dr. Kevin Lam, Associate Professor at the University of Greenwich, tells us about his journey within electrosynthesis: from its beginnings as a niche discipline to the burgeoning field it is today. 

Kshitij RB Singh is a biochemist specializing in nanobiotechnology. He’s currently working on fabricating plant material-based biosensors for the detection and diagnosis of lifestyle diseases. He gives us an insight into the details of his innovative work. 

Award-winning professor Lei Tao talks about his work on de novo polymer design and his proudest career moments so far. 

Michael Crocker tells us about his prize-winning work at Vanderbilt University and his constant desire to keep learning.

Michael Thomas tells us about his research to replace synthetic fertilizers with sustainable alternatives to help solve the problem of rising global food demand.

A researcher based in Canada, Professor Dr. Mila Emerald has a distinguished background in nanotechnology and drug development – she told us how she got where she is today.

Miranda Imeri founded the Kosovo Wildlife Society and is the first person in the country to achieve an MSc as a wildlife engineer. She aims to protect large carnivores including the critically endangered lynx as she continues her Ph.D. research.

Working in the field of photovoltaics, Ph.D. candidate Ramis Arbi tells us about the challenges of breaking free from fossil fuels. 

Samantha Apps tells us about her work on exploring new ways to produce ammonia and the importance of perseverance.

Samantha Green tells us about her work on dual catalysis at the Scripps Research Institute and the need to pursue crazy ideas.

Dr. Samuel Perry’s work has the potential to reduce both carbon emissions and fossil fuel use at the same time – he told us how ‘talking to everyone’ keeps him motivated.

Research scientist Shafi Ullah Khan is using AI to improve breast cancer treatment – he told us how his having ‘crazy ideas’ supported motivates him to keep going.