Embracing The Thrill Of Discovery - Inspiring A Career In Chemistry

By Chiara Colletto.

Chiara Colletto is an R&D Chemist in our laboratories at our HQ, San Vittore Olona. Chiara is passionate about her work, with a drive for discovery and pursuit of progress that embodies the Chematek values. In this article, Chiara pays tribute to the outstanding women in chemistry who inspired her career.

"I have always had a passion for chemistry. When I was eight years old, I wanted to be an archaeologist, astronaut, and then a scientist! I always liked the idea that by mixing different things, you get something new. Then, when I took my first chemistry lessons at secondary school, it hit me: "This is my path."

Turning this passion into a profession has been an incredibly gratifying experience for me. I obtained a Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry in Italy, followed by a PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Manchester. After my academic career, I worked for more than five years in medicinal chemistry and cancer research before coming to Chematek.

?My Inspiration

To be where I am today, I owe a debt of gratitude to the fantastic women who preceded me and paved the way for discovery. I want to spotlight the extraordinary contributions of women in Chemistry, who have been and still are a true inspiration for me:

Dr Marie Curie: A true pioneer in chemistry and physics, she was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity revolutionised our understanding of atomic structure and paved the way for medical diagnostics and cancer treatment advancements.

Dr. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin: She made significant contributions to X-ray crystallography, a technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of molecules. Her work on the structure of critical biochemical compounds, including penicillin and vitamin B12, earned her the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964.

Dr Jennifer Doudna: A pioneering biochemist who co-invented the CRISPR gene-editing technology, one of the most revolutionary tools in modern molecular biology. Her groundbreaking work has opened up new possibilities for treating genetic diseases and advancing precision medicines. She earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.

Dr Frances Arnold: A renowned chemical engineer and biochemist who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2018 for her work on the directed evolution of enzymes. Her innovative approach to protein engineering has enabled the development of sustainable processes for chemical synthesis, environmental remediation, and renewable energy production.

?Dr. Katalin Karikó: An excellent biochemist whose research on messenger RNA (mRNA) has revolutionised modern medicine. Her innovative strategies to stabilise mRNA and modulate immune responses have propelled the development of COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna and opened avenues for novel therapies across diverse medical domains.

Their achievements testify to the transformative power of curiosity, perseverance, and ingenuity in advancing our understanding of the natural world and improving the human condition. These qualities of relentless exploration and determination are at the core of our ethos here at Chematek.

?A Career In Chemistry

Being a chemist isn't just a career path—it's a gateway to fulfilling my passion for innovation and discovery. There's an incredible thrill when venturing into the unknown, motivated by the possibility of unearthing something entirely novel and uncovering innovations that have never been realised.

Now, I am an R&D chemist involved in synthesising new commercial products. I am also looking for new opportunities to sell our portfolio of reducing agents, currently in the pharmaceutical sector. This means keeping up with the new approved or just launched drugs and understanding the synthetic pathways to see if our products can find an application.

I want to encourage more women to enter this field. Make chemistry and science your career. You won't regret it.