Abbie Leggott

Abbie completed her Integrated Masters degree in Chemistry in 2017. She is currently pursuing her PhD at the School of Chemistry, researching the feasibility of using activity-directed synthesis to support antibacterial drug discovery.

Life before Leeds

Abbie chose to study chemistry because she found the subject fascinating. She said, “From the beginning of my A-levels, I enjoyed learning about it. I felt like I understood it much easier than my other subjects and this was a contributing factor that led me to my decision. I knew that whatever degree I did, I wanted a challenge and the potential for a good job afterwards and a chemistry degree definitely provides both of these opportunities. It is definitely one of the best decisions of my life!”

I wanted a challenge and the potential for a good job afterwards and a chemistry degree definitely provides both of these opportunities.

She added, “Being a Russell Group University with excellent chemistry facilities, Leeds was an obvious choice. It was closer to home than I originally planned, however I loved how the University had a campus-city feel and everyone was warm and welcoming. It definitely felt like the right university for me.

The first time I visited Leeds was on the interview day. I fell in love with the University straight away. The students that ran my tour were very helpful and gave me lots of useful information. My interviewer was very friendly. All in all, the day made my decision a lot easier.”

The first time I visited Leeds was on the interview day. I fell in love with the University straight away.

Academic life at Leeds

“The course was definitely challenging, but I loved it! It made me a better chemist and learnt so many new skills. I wanted a degree that was interesting and stimulating, and that is definitely what I got.

I particularly enjoyed synthesising molecules in labs and actually applying the Chemistry that I have learnt in lectures. It definitely makes the course a lot more satisfying knowing I can actually do experiments related to the theory I have been taught. 

I loved how all the fundamental aspects can be used in drug synthesis to create molecules that can cure a variety of diseases.

I found organic chemistry the most interesting. I loved how all the fundamental aspects can be used in drug synthesis to create molecules that can cure a variety of diseases.”

Student life at Leeds

“There is always something to do! We have over 200 societies at Leeds which encompass a broad spectrum of interests. This means there is always an event running that you will like. Living in halls was also great! Everyone was so friendly and it was easy to make a huge variety of friends. 

Postgraduate life at Leeds 

I am currently in the final year of my PhD where I have been researching the feasibility of using activity-directed synthesis to support antibacterial drug discovery. This project has enabled me to both expand my skills within organic synthesis and branch out into microbiology and perform MIC analysis on compounds I have synthesised. As I have been involved in a multi-disciplinary project, I have had lots of exposure to different lab techniques and working with different groups of PhD and Post-Doctoral Researchers.”

Find out more 

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