23 Jun 2010
Liam Ball was born and raised on the Isle of Wight. His fascination for the sciences was inspired by an enthusiastic secondary school teacher and has developed into a passion for chemistry.
Upon completion of A level studies in mathematics, biology and chemistry, he won a place at the University of Bristol to read chemistry. The third year of his degree was spent on industrial placement at Pfizer, Sandwich.
Liam received two Industrial Scholarships, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, over the course of his degree. He was also awarded the W E Garner prize (top of class), the DSM project prize for research into the chemistry of phosphorus-containing heterocycles and the Rothwell prize for industrial placement students, before graduating with first class honours.
Since graduating Liam has been awarded a Salters' Graduate Prize and has been invited to attend the 60th Meeting of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany. Liam also completed a summer project at the University of Bristol, before commencing research into physical organic/inorganic aspects of gold chemistry as a member of Bristol’s Chemical Synthesis Doctoral Training Centre.
Outside of the lab, Liam studies the Japanese martial arts Shotokan Karate – in which he has obtained Shodan grade (black-belt) – and Shorinji Kempo. He also takes a keen interest in culinary diversions and travel.
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