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Burning Li metal in my bedroom when I was only around nine years old fascinated me! Why did it burn so brightly, I wondered, and why is the metal so soft? Then I always enjoyed chemistry at secondary school (aided by good teachers). Chemistry was very logical and fun and helped me understand about all the different elements in the world.

Jim Jeffes at Imperial College taught me and inspired me in physical chemistry, going through in great detail the Ellingham-Richardson-Jeffes diagram that he constructed. Professor Theodore Gyeballe from Stanford, my postdoc mentor and friend until his passing, also greatly inspired me with his utter devotion to science and with his ability to straddle chemistry and physics.

I love trying to understand materials and to go from basic understanding to real-world applications. It is really hard but also very rewarding. I also love seeing former students do better than me and to keep working with them. Finally, I love working with very clever and nice collaborators (including former students) on our long and hard journeys of trying to make the world a better place through science.

They need to love what they are doing and to keep focused on what they really like to do. There will be many obstacles in their way over time, but they need to keep the focus on the science goals. They will need to work very hard to achieve their goals. It doesn't really get easier as you get older, but it does get different, so there is never monotony.

I am excited about brain-like computing and trying to engineer artificial neurons that can work in the same way that the brain does. I am also excited by the prospects of fusion energy. Both topics require oxide thin films nanoengineered to very high specifications, which is what I like to do.

Because the world is made of different chemicals (both biological and non-biological). Every element has an important role. Chemistry is at the heart of a green, sustainable and healthy future for mankind.

Following my passion for science alone, not being deterred by the obstacles along the way, and then seeing real-world benefits coming out of my ideas.

There have been many. It is tough to be an academic. It is like being CEO, COO, CFO, CTO or CSO of your own company. You have to love what you are doing, be dedicated, flexible, and energetic. It is certainly not a 9-5 job!

They are at the root of better healthcare and a healthier planet. So they are core to making the world a better place.

Science is very complex and multifaceted. You can't know it all, but if you work with many people from different disciplines and are patient and honest with each other, the sum is then much much greater than the parts.