What excites you about the current trends in natural product research?
There's been a real shift to community driven approaches to data and knowledge sharing - this really is the effort of like minded individuals working together, across geographic and scientific boundaries - it has been particularly great to see that this new way of working is the norm for early career researchers - they're driving the innovation while creating peer networks, it's exciting to see and be part of.
What led you to specialize in your particular field of study?
All natural products researchers combine specialities - i'm a great believer in asking interesting scientific questions and building the skills and focus around what you want to answer - that should always be a dynamic response and as a scientist it's important to keep evolving and to be open to new ways of thinking.
If you could make one recommendation to policymakers to support natural product research, what would it be?
Microbial chemistry underpins all aspects of life, from future climates to our ability to manage disease, i'd like to see ecology and medicine less siloed - we've a lot to learn about how we shape the ecosystem and how it shapes us!
If you could collect samples anywhere in the world (or beyond), where would you go?
I'm kind of lucky with this once, as it'd be the deep ocean and or Antarctica, and we've been incredibly fortunate to study both.
If you could have any superpower to help with your research, what would it be and why?
I already have one, i've an identical twin who also had a PhD in science!
