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8 Questions with Dewi Lewis

22 June 2017

This week, meet Dr Dewi Lewis, a computational chemist who joined the department in 1998.  Dewi shares his top three things to do in London and discusses his greatest working achievement.

1. How old were you when you first realised you were interested in chemistry?

I went to a small primary school where we did things across year groups. So, I really enjoyed science from the age of 6. Biology went out the window at 14 and then chemistry just took over from physics at 16.

2. What made you take up a career in chemistry?

Enjoying my degree

3. Who inspired you to take up chemistry and why?

No one specifically – encouraging parents and supportive teachers.

4. What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Dreaming up my own postdoc which led to my RSC Meldola Medal.

5. What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Wyau/Pyst by Datblygu, Airplane and (poetry but…) Let Them Eat Chaos by Kate Tempest

6. Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Gruff Rhys, Joe Allen, Ada Lovelace, Yanis Varoufakis, my wife and two children – cover all the bases for a non-stop and wide-ranging conversation. And only one of them needs bringing back alive.

7. What would it surprise people to know about you?

I nearly beat Terry Griffiths at snooker 6 months before he became World Champion. Okay, I was in the lead for a bit.

8. What are your top three things to do/see/go to in London?

Tate Modern, The Dublin Castle in Camden (still going when many other small venues have died), George’s Cafe on Green Lanes.