Talks
Worth Dyeing For - The Colourful Creation of Organic Chemistry
Dyes and paints have been used for millennia, but where do the chemicals that make colours come from? How has their use shaped history and how did a few chemists change the world forever?
From cave-paintings to blue jeans to antibiotics, let’s journey through history and explore how organic chemistry laid the foundations for the modern world.
Targeted at an A-Level and adult audience, this talk explores the small chemical changes to medicines, such as morphine, that turn them into illicit drugs. The talk explores the history and impact of these small chemical changes on biochemistry and humanity, from solubility to the War on Drugs in the United States. Finally we consider if current illicit drugs such as marijuana have a place in a modern health service.
"Informative and enjoyable - 3.9/4"
"The drugs talk was really interesting - 3.8/4"
When Medicines Become Drugs - How Simple Chemical Changes Change the World
Why Chemistry is More than just Chemicals - Using Lateral Flow Tests to Fight Covid-19 and Health Inequalities
We’re all used to lateral flow tests now, but what are they and how can they be used to fight health inequalities? Join organic chemist Alex to find out how to make lateral flow tests, how they can be used to fight both Covid-19 and health inequalities, and why chemistry is more than just chemicals.
Targeted at an A-Level and adult audience, this talk explores the history of medical diagnostics and asks if current lateral flow devices are up to the task of delivering fairer healthcare around the world. This talk explores how medical diagnostics were used in the Covid-19 pandemic and how the virus itself provides opportunities to develop new medical diagnostics.
"Very interesting, really relevant and clearly presented"
"Taught us well about lateral flow tests and the power of women in the industry. It also helped me understand the Covid-19 test kits"
"Fantastic students loved his session"
"Both informative and interesting. I liked the history of science related to the early
sexism surrounding the pregnancy test. I also enjoyed finding out about his
research."
A shorter version of this talk, From Pharaohs to Fairer Healthcare, has been used for Pint of Science 2022.
From Enemies of Eden to Neglected Tropical Disease - New Fangled Approaches for Snake Bite Diagnosis
Every 5 minutes, 50 people are bitten by a snake worldwide, 4 will be permanently disabled and 1 will die. Snake envenomation is a neglected tropical disease that requires urgent attention. This talk will delve into the complicated relationship between humans and snakes, how this has influenced our modern medicine cabinet and how Chemistry can help in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
How to Freeze a Human - Why Temperature Matters in Chemistry
In every cell in every tissue and every organ of your body, millions and millions of reactions are being carried out to keep you alive. The key ingredient in all these reactions is heat, so what happens if we drop the temperature? Could we cryogenically preserve organs and blood? Alex explores the science and cutting-edge research behind cryogenics and consider how to freeze a human. Targeted at a KS3 and GCSE audience.
"Really engaging, fantastic story and flow to presentation. Kids were fantastically engaged and answered questions well. Very good slides. 10/10"
"Exciting presentation -showed real life challenges, linked to the KS3 curriculum. Practical demos fantastic and exciting. Really engaged our students in thinking like scientists 10/10"
"I found it very informative and thought it was very interesting and engaging 10/10"
A shorter version of this talk, Chemistry in the freezer, has been used for The Warwick Christmas Lecture 2022.
Not All Doctors Have a Medical Degree
This careers talk explores the lives of Nobel prize winning scientists who considered studying Medicine at University but didn't. It is also a personal reflection on my experiences as a student considering Medicine as a career. The talk explores the impact scientists have outside of medical careers.
The Chemistry of Star Wars
Screen shot from Ri Website of Alex’s talk