I discovered chemistry when I was fourteen. Her and I just clicked. I had a deep curiosity about what she could do so I decided that she was going to be my partner for the rest of my life. Thus, she has been. That curiosity I had about chemistry led me to become a scientist, and to learn how science can help society move towards a more sustainable and innovative future.

Another driving force for me to pursue a scientific career was the love I have for animals and nature. I am from Ecuador, one of the most diverse countries in the world despite its small size. Most people ignore that beside it being the main cause of global warming, fossil fuel production produces a large negative impact on the land, flora, fauna and communities where oil reserves are located. Oil exportation, the main source of Ecuador’s income, has caused vast destruction to large part of the Ecuadorian Amazonia, and its indigenous communities.

Thus, after finishing my chemistry degree in Ecuador, I jumped on a plane to the north of the Americas to become a scientist with a focus on finding alternative ways of producing fuels rather than oil. After many years of scientific training, I realized I needed to gather more knowledge so I jumped again on a plane and landed in United Kingdom to find myself a role where I can help lead the way for sustainable chemistry.

After having lived in United Kingdom for over two years, I was fortunate to be selected as Innovation Fellow of the Next Generation Chemistry (NextGenChem) program. The program aims to provide technical and scientific support to SME’s in Lancashire to deliver innovative and more sustainable products and processes while enhancing the local economy. Basically, an Innovation Fellow can be seen as a “psychologist” of SME’s where we listen to the issues they have, determine which could be solutions to the problems, and offer answers to these in the form of new or improved products and processes. We can aid SME’s by providing consultancy services and/or technical support in the form of R&D projects or analytical services. I specifically work in the area of materials and catalysts synthesis (compounds that enable chemical reaction that would normally would not happen).

Working in the NextGenChem project has brought me back to my roots of wanting to help our world and their inhabitants (humans and animals) with the aid of chemistry. Even though I am thousands of miles away from home, being part of NextGenChem enabled by chemistry I contribute to a more sustainable future.

Disclaimer: I refer to chemistry as a SHE/HER because my mother language is Spanish where chemistry is female.

NextGenChem is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

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