Lecturer in Medicinal Chemistry and Ex-Navy Officer

Nial Wheate MRACI CChem

Why Chemistry?

I’ve always been interested in science, and I’m certain that I’d be happy working in any scientific field, but it’s the tangible aspects of chemistry that appeal to me the most. The ability to physically see a colour change during an experiment or hold a sample vial of a compound in your hand and know that you are the first person in the world to make it, makes the science real.

My defining moment was in the middle of my first year of my PhD when I had made (and purified, that’s the hard part) my first platinum complex. None of my synthesis attempts during honours had been successful and I was starting to lose hope. As is always the case, once that complex was made, the chemistry then flowed and many more complexes followed.

Mentors

Grant Collins, honours and PhD advisor; Grant is a model of the perfect PhD supervisor, who taught me the importance of writing well, and not asking your student to do anything you yourself wouldn’t do; he regularly came in on weekends to help with experiments!

Oliver Sutcliffe, synthetic organic chemist; Ollie and I both started our lectureships on the same day and we currently share an office. Although we are the original odd couple, we regularly collaborate together and are great friends.

CHEMISTRY AND THE NAVY

It’s the tangible aspects of chemistry that appeal to me.
The ability to physically see a colour change during an experiment, it makes the science real

Australian Defence Force

I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy. In total, I spent 10 years as an officer in the navy, where I applied my scientific training.

This photo was taken about a year after I finished my PhD. As the coordinator for the Australian Defence Force medical officers’ nuclear, biological and chemical defence course, I volunteered to take part in their training serial with them, where we demonstrated the effectiveness of the gas masks. Despite the searing, stinging sensations, it was actually great fun!