The SCI Ambassador Scheme seeks members to increase awareness of SCI activities in universities and industry, while providing them with opportunities for networking and professional development. Ambassadors can get further involved by sharing events, information on awards and benefits with their professional networks.
What are your key areas of interest?
My research interests lie in synthetic organic chemistry and analytical techniques, with a focus on medicinal applications. I am particularly passionate about developing innovative, sustainable methodologies that contribute to greener practices in drug discovery and the broader chemical industry.
Why SCI? How did you first get involved and why would you encourage your peers to join?
I first heard about SCI through university announcements and applied to take part in the Undergraduate IP Symposium during my placement year. The experience got me more interested in how research applies to real-world problems. I’d recommend SCI to my peers because it’s a great way to meet people, learn from experts, and get practical insights that can really help when starting out in the field.
SCI aims to be ‘where science meets business’. What is the potential commercial application of your research?
I aim to apply my research experience in synthetic organic chemistry and analytical techniques to the fields of pharmaceuticals and medicine. During my placement year, I gained hands-on experience in commercial-scale synthesis, working with quantities up to 20kg, which provided me with valuable insight into scaling up processes. As my career progresses, I hope to contribute further to the commercial applications of research – a key aspect of working in industry.
What do you hope to gain from your involvement with SCI?
I’m excited to expand my network and connect with industry professionals. I look forward to promoting SCI events and activities, while also getting involved in conferences and organising events. The scheme offers great opportunities for personal growth, like mentoring and exclusive networking events, which will help me develop professionally. Overall, I hope to gain new skills and contribute to raising awareness of SCI within the scientific community.
Saira Ghani
Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Nottingham