Profile
David Jackson
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About Me:
I live just outside Glasgow. I am a Professor during the day and like reading science fiction and fantasy. I like rock music and swimming.
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I really like science fiction but I getting to grips with crime fiction. I like to travel, I’ve been to China, Japan, USA, Canada and most of Europe. On holiday I like to laze around on a beach.
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I am a Professor of Catalysis Science which is a branch of Chemistry. Catalysis makes reactions go faster and give a specific product. It is important for sustainability and making best use resources. I teach students about catalysis and other aspects of chemistry. I also do research, which is doing things that have never been done beofre, developing new reactions and processes and trying to understand what has happenned. I do this with research students.
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My Typical Day:
I get up at 6am and have breakfast (ideally sausage, egg and potato scone on a roll). I get in to work just after 8am. I check my emails, look at experimental results and write about them. I have a packed lunch then back to trying to understand the experiments we have just performed. I go home around 4:45pm, have my tea and watch tv.
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I get up at 6am and have breakfast (ideally sausage, egg and potato scone on a roll). I watch BBC Breakfast news to see what has happenned in the world. I get in to work just after 8am. I check my emails, look at experimental results and write about them. I’ll chat to my research students to see who things are going if there are any problems. I have a packed lunch then back to trying to understand the experiments we have just performed. Some days I will lecture to students, there can be 250 sometimes or just 20, either way it is great fun. I also take tutorials, these are small groups of students where I help them with problem questions. We do a new one each week. I go home around 4:45pm, have my tea and watch tv.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would like to set up an experiment that could be done in school to see catalysis at work.
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Education:
Lochend Secondary school, Easterhouse, Glasgow
University of Glasgow
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Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Surface Chemistry and Catalysis on “Carbonaceous Deposits Associated with the Steam Reforming of Hydrocarbons”
B.Sc. (Hons, 2nd Class)
5 Highers, A Chemistry, A Geography, B Mathematics, B English, B Physics
9 O-levels
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Work History:
2006 – 2009 Head of Department of Chemistry
2005 – 2006 Director of WestCHEM
2000 – Professor of Catalysis Science, University of Glasgow
1996 – 2000 ICI Synetix, RT&E Group, Strategic Technology Manager
1995 – 1996 ICI Synetix, Centre for Industry Analysis.
Business Development Manager (Corporate Strategy and Acquisitions)
1991 – 1995 ICI Katalco R & T Group, Collaborations R & T Manager.
1989 – 1991 ICI Chemicals & Polymers Ltd, Catalysis Research Centre, Research Project Manager.
1986 – 1989 ICI Chemicals & Polymers Ltd, Catalysis Research Centre, Technical Officer.
1982 – 1986 ICI New Science Group, Senior Research Scientist.
1979 – 1982 University of Hull, ICI Postdoctoral Research Fellow
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Current Job:
Professor of Catalysis Science
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
old, academically-industrial, chemist
What did you want to be after you left school?
teacher
Were you ever in trouble at school?
who hasn't been in trouble at school
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Byrds, Paul Simon
What's your favourite food?
Scallops
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
1. long life and health 2. never to be poor. 3. wishes 1 and 2 for my daughters
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