Sarah Murrison

What have you been focusing on during your PhD?

My PhD involved the synthesis of libraries of skeletally diverse molecules, and for that I used two types of cascade reactions. Diverse compounds are valuable tools to be screened for biological activity.

What made you choose to do a PhD?

It really improves your career prospects. Also, I was interested in the project and I really enjoyed chemistry, especially synthetic chemistry and so I wanted to study it further.

What made you choose Leeds?

I was interested in Professor Adam Nelson’s research and so I applied to him. Then when I came down to visit, I liked the place and there was a lot of positive feedback about him as a supervisor and so I thought that it would be good. My PhD was sponsored by AstraZeneca and I wanted to ultimately work in the pharmaceutical industry and so there was an opportunity to have a three month placement with them.

What would say you have enjoyed most within the School itself?

I think that there is a lot of opportunity within the department. So for example in my second year I went to America to do a poster presentation at a conference in Philadelphia and there were also a lot of other opportunities to present at other conferences within the country. It is a very well equipped department and people are very friendly. 

What would you say to other people considering doing a research degree here at Leeds?

It’s tough, it’s not an easy ride but with perseverance you can get through. Leeds is a great place to do a research degree, it’s a very vibrant city with a lot of students and a big student life. The chemistry department has a good reputation and they do a lot of good research and have excellent lecturers and supervisors. I would encourage people to come to Leeds to do their PhD.