This Could Be You! If you would like to be a part of Meet the YCG please get in touch, we post every week a short interview from members of the YCG. This week we introduce out newly elected Ordinary member Stephen Dodsworth.
Name
Stephen Dodsworth
Current position
PhD Student (First Year) at The University of Sheffield/Diamond Light Source
What do you currently research?
I’m currently looking at understanding the structural responses to gas adsorption in flexible metal-organic frameworks and how this flexibility can be tuned by incorporating different functionalities into the organic framework ligands. Part of my PhD will also involve developing new instrumentation at beamlines I11 and I19 at Diamond Light Source, which would allow users to perform volumetric gas adsorption measurements and in situ X-ray diffraction studies simultaneously.
What is your favourite thing about being a crystallographer?
I think the visual aspect of crystallography is amazing and find it incredible that a simple diffraction pattern can give us so much information about a structure. The opportunity to spend time at synchrotrons and perform exciting experiments is always something I enjoy – even if things don’t always go quite according to plan!
Who, or what, inspires you to do science?
I’ve always been quite an inquisitive person and interested in learning about new things. My motivation for starting a research project was being able to not only further my own personal development, but to contribute to my field and impact the research of others.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to anyone starting out in scientific research?
I think it’s really important to make time for things you enjoy doing outside of research and maintain a healthy work/life balance. You should also make the most of every opportunity to network not only with other researchers but also people in industry and outside of your subject specialism, it’s amazing how much you can learn even from a quick conversation with someone!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I’m a huge sports fan. I play basketball competitively for the university team and football several times a week with friends and colleagues. I also really enjoy exploring new places. I recently spent 8 weeks travelling around Europe which was a great experience and hope to visit a couple more cities further afield in the near future.
