Emily Wynne

• What is your current job / programme of study?

Currently a 3^rd year PhD student in Chemical Engineering as part of the Molecules to Product CDT at the University of Leeds

• What A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do?

Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology

• Why did you chose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)?

I’ve always been interested in the how and why. Materials science allows me to answer those questions by linking structure and properties, and really get down to the fundamental understanding of how many processes work, and why they do

• What did you enjoy most about your MSE course? (If you didn’t do a MSE course which course did you do and what led to you MSE?)

My undergraduate degree was in Chemistry. In my Master’s year I completed a project much more involved with materials characterisation than other lab projects undertaken in previous years of the course. I enjoyed learning about and using these analytical techniques on a day-to-day basis, which is where my interest in materials and characterisation stemmed from, hence why I started a PhD focused more in the materials area

• What is your research about?

I am applying low dose transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques to organic layered products and formulations. I am currently looking at a replica leaf wax system, with the aim to determine the nanoscale structure to see how this has an effect on the movement of molecules across this barrier. Future work will involve the application of these low dose techniques to materials in the pharmaceutical sector

• What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?

Using a TEM every week is one of the most interesting parts of my PhD as I get to see materials down to the atomic level. I have had the opportunity to present at a few conferences so far in different locations in the UK, and think attending an international conference in the next couple of years would be really cool!

• What do you see yourself doing in the future?

I would love to go into a career influencing and advising scientific policy, either as part of government such as in the civil service or in a government organisation such as UKRI

• What is your favourite material (and why)?

Carbon nanotubes as they are the material that first inspired my interest in materials science in my Master’s project. They have so many applications and have a fascinating structure that leads to some interesting properties, such as exceptional tensile strength and electrical conductivity.

• What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

Research university courses more thoroughly, medicine isn’t the only course you can aim for if you’re good at science, and engineering isn’t only the designing of cars! Don’t be afraid to speak up and get involved more

• Links to any external profile pages / website you have

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-wynne-9a0bb91b0/ (LinkedIn)