Calling all students of Chemistry from GCSE to A Level to university! We’re inviting you to hear from one of the UKs most inspiring and exciting chemists today - Professor Rebecca Goss.

Professor Goss and her group are pioneering new ways to create molecules, using powerful and sustainable processes for use in vital drug development. In this talk aimed at young people, she will explore the amazing research that takes place in her lab, as well sharing her personal journey into science.

This event is aimed at those aged 16+, but younger students are welcome to attend.

Schedule

15:00 - Event opens; registration, refreshments and research poster exhibition

15:05-16:15 - Lab tours and demonstrations (in groups)*

16:00 - Theatre doors open

16:30-16:40 - Welcome and housekeeping

16:40-17:00 - Research talk from King's Chemistry PhD student Esmé Shepherd

17:00-18:00 - Professor Rebecca Goss talk and Q&A
*Lab tours are now fully booked, but tickets are still available for the lecture. You are welcome to arrive any time from 15:30 to enjoy refreshments and look at a small research exhibition before the lecture starts.

Building molecules sustainably, from World War I gases to salt and light - talk by Professor Rebecca Goss

Talk description
Our modern world depends on the work of chemists to artificially create millions of different molecules, especially vital medicines such as antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs. Yet manufacturing new molecules in a precise and eco-friendly way is one of the greatest challenges facing chemistry today.

Join Professor Rebecca Goss as she explores the pioneering methods her lab uses to build molecules, inspired by processes in nature. Based at the University of St Andrews, Professor Goss and her team’s ground-breaking work involves using enzymes and the salt you use in the kitchen to create new molecules in powerful and yet sustainable processes.

This work centres around the carbon-halogen bond, such as carbon chlorine, carbon bromine and carbon iodine. Whilst notoriously common in poisonous gases used in World War I, this bond is also a vital part of how drugs work effectively in the body. Professor Goss will explore this cutting-edge work, as well as more broadly discussing new approaches like these that blend synthetic biology and synthetic chemistry. An ideal talk for students of chemistry, and those considering studying chemistry at university.

About the speaker
Professor Rebecca Goss is a pioneering bioorganic chemist and chemical biologist, renowned for her leadership in the discovery and engineering of medicinally relevant natural products. As the first female Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of St Andrews, she heads a dynamic, multidisciplinary research group focused on advancing the frontiers of synthetic chemistry and synthetic biology.

Professor Goss's innovative work centres on the biosynthesis of natural products at both the chemical and genetic levels. By combining synthetic chemistry with synthetic biology, her team harnesses individual enzymes and entire biosynthetic pathways to create libraries of medicinally relevant compounds.

With over 160 international lectures to her name, Professor Goss is a sought-after speaker and a passionate advocate for inspiring the next generation of scientists

About the Daniell Lecture
The Daniell Lecture is delivered by the Department of Chemistry at King's and sponsored by the Chilterns & Middlesex branch of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Kickstarted in 1995, the series is in memory of John Frederic Daniell, who was appointed the first Professor of Chemistry at King’s College London in 1831. The first chemical laboratory was founded a few years later in 1834. Daniell remained at King's until 1845 and in 1846 the Daniell Scholarship was founded in his honour. Daniell invented the first electrochemical cell, laying down the foundations of the study of electrochemistry and hence influencing the study of Physical Chemistry. Today, the cell named after him, the ‘Daniell Cell’, can be found in Chemistry textbooks in schools and colleges the world over.

Important information

This event is aimed at those aged 16+. Younger attendees are welcome, but please note that attendees under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If you are aged 14–18 and booking for yourself, please check with a parent or guardian before booking your place. For school groups, tickets are limited to 20 students per booking, to ensure a larger number of schools can attend.

Registration for this event will take place in reception in the main entrance to the Franklin Wilkins Building. The address is 150 Stamford Street London, SE1 9NH.

This event is organised by the Department of Chemistry at King’s College London. If you have any questions or would like any further details, please email nmes-outreach@kcl.ac.uk. For in-person events we operate a policy of overbooking, given drop-out rates. Please ensure you arrive in good time to avoid disappointment on the day. You must pre-book a free ticket to attend this event. We are not able to book tickets on the door, or admit anyone without a pre-booked ticket.

Livestream
This event will be livestreamed from 16:30 to 18:00 and a recording will be shared on the NMES Faculty YouTube channel. Please book a ticket here to view the live stream.

Accessibility
This talk will take place in the B5 Lecture theatre, on the ground floor of the Franklin Wilkins Building. There is step free access to this lecture theatre, with dedicate spaces for wheelchair users. Read more about accessibilty for this space. The lab tours will take place on the fifth floor of the building, which is accessible via lift. The nearest step-free underground station is Waterloo, which is also the closest station to this building.

Photography and privacy notice
The event you will be attending will have photography and/or videography. If you do not wish to appear in any recordings or photographs, please approach our registration team on the day of the event or email nmes-outreach@kcl.ac.uk beforehand. Photographs and recordings taken may feature in our publications or on the King’s website and social media channels. All personal data will be processed in accordance with King’s privacy policy available here.

We collect and process your personal information to help us manage and run the event. In accordance with the King’s College London Data Retention Schedule, we will keep your information until the completion of the event. To find out more about how the university deals with your personal information, including your rights, please see the university’s core privacy notice. Your personal information will be transferred to the United States via Eventbrite. Please read this article where you can find out more on how Eventbrite protects your data.