Harry Lord

Harry Lord graduated from Leeds in 2016 with a BSc in Medicinal Chemistry. He is currently working at Lancashire County Council as a Head of Year and Chemistry Teacher.

Undergraduate life at Leeds

Harry chose Medicinal Chemistry because unfortunately, he failed in his application to study Medicine. Having missed all the Open Days, he travelled to Leeds late in Year 13 and remember vividly being welcomed by Dr Stuart Warriner. Harry said, “He took time out of his day just for me and took me on a tour of the School of Chemistry as well as the campus. Having previously thought I would be going elsewhere, I remember on the train home ringing my mum to tell her that I would be coming to Leeds. From that first day, the staff were wonderful”.

“One of the best aspect of the course was doing the drug discovery modules. I chose Medicinal Chemistry because I felt like I was no good at the "Physical" aspect of Chemistry. So naturally, I enjoyed the drug discovery modules more and found these particularly interesting. The lecturers in particular, found a way to explain difficult concepts in an understandable way and I loved learning about drugs that can save people's lives. For example how they are synthesised, how they are metabolised and how they work”.

The lecturers in particular, found a way to explain difficult concepts in an understandable way and I loved learning about drugs that can save people's lives.

Instead of choosing to undertake an industrial placement or doing a year abroad, Harry chose to do the Students into Schools programme in his third year which was his first experience of working in a school. He said, “I remember that first lesson being an absolute car crash, yet the buzz of being in the classroom instilled my passion to get some more experience”.

Life after Leeds

Having finished at Leeds in 2016, Harry went straight to the University of Manchester to complete his PGCE (Secondary Chemistry) and succesfully completed that in 2017. Since finishing his training, he is now Head of Chemistry and Head of Year at an amazing school in Lancashire. Harry added, “If you like working with young people, enjoy fresh challenges and want a job that can be incredibly rewarding, please look into teaching”.

If you like working with young people, enjoy fresh challenges and want a job that can be incredibly rewarding please look into teaching.

“Looking back, moving to such a diverse city that is at the forefront of scientific research was very important and something I probably took for granted. Some of my lecturers are genuinely world-leading in their field. For them to be standing in front of you wanting to share their passion for their subject with you is fantastic”.

I will always remember how caring and understanding the School of Chemistry were when things got a little bit tough for me during some exams and that human side is something that I don't think I would have gotten elsewhere.

“Leeds is an amazing city and you will meet some wonderful people and make some incredible memories that will last forever. I will always remember how caring and understanding the School of Chemistry were when things got a little bit tough for me during some exams and that human side is something that I don't think I would have gotten elsewhere”.

Find out more 

Discover more about our Undergraduate degree courses in the School of Chemistry.