• Question: are you inspired by any famous scientists?

    Asked by LucyW to Siana, Peter, Carolyn, Richard, Sara on 10 Nov 2015. This question was also asked by Abi + Molly + Emily ?, LBurgess, fluffyunicorns19.
    • Photo: Peter Francis

      Peter Francis answered on 10 Nov 2015:

      I was inspired by the Professor who supervised my PhD. He is the closest thing to a genius that I have ever met and was always able to make sense of very complex topics with ease. I am also inspired by the Professor I work with at Leeds Beckett University. He has a huge work rate and a massive publication record but best of all remains a very nice and helpful man.

    • Photo: Siana Jones

      Siana Jones answered on 11 Nov 2015:

      This is a nice question. Thanks Lucy.

      I am also inspired by my current and previous supervisors in my PhD and my previous research.

      Of scientists in the public eye, I think Michael Mosley is pretty brilliant. He’s really good at making science accessible to everyone and he’s very easy to watch on TV:)

    • Photo: Richard Unwin

      Richard Unwin answered on 13 Nov 2015:

      Hi Lucy.

      Good question.

      I think we all look up to really good scientists, especially in our own field or who have helped in our own careers, but I think that’s a case of wanting to learn from them, rather than ‘be inspired’ by them.

      The current scientists I admire the most are those who stand by what they believe in and will say what they thing is right, in public and who try to teach people the value of science, people like Richard Dawkins or Ben Goldacre spring to mind.

    • Photo: Sara Falcone

      Sara Falcone answered on 18 Nov 2015:

      Hello Lucy!

      Of course you will expired by big scientist when you are making up your mind about starting a career in science. For me it was an Italian doctor, Rita Levi-Montalcini. She won the Nobel prize for her studies on the brain and was an inspiration because she was a young woman, from a Jewish family who started her career during the 30s. She even lost her job during WW2 and had to work in a lab set up in her room at home!!!!

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