Louise Todd
Customer & Product Support Scientist, Johnson Matthey
Three graduates reveal why sustainability is such a big issue for them — and how they are committed to using science to make the world cleaner and healthier.
What’s the attraction of a science career for you?
One of its strengths is its collaborative nature. Science isn’t something you can or should do in isolation. The thing that gets me excited is looking at a problem, brainstorming with the people around me, and tracking a path through to the solution. Also, solving a real problem that people have struggled with is such a satisfying feeling.
How can scientists build engagement around sustainability issues?
We must prioritise sustainability in our decision-making processes, and then utilise our skills in, for example, data manipulation and good communication to extract a simple, meaningful story from an extremely complex picture. We also have to add value with our solutions.
What’s the main challenge we face in reaching net zero?
Net zero is always going to be a balance between financial cost and ultimate reward. But everyone — individuals, companies — has to pull in the same direction, otherwise we’re going to end up cancelling each other out.
One of its strengths is its collaborative nature. Science isn’t something you can or should do in isolation.
What one thing would you do to make the world cleaner and healthier?
All the actions we take involve energy, and the source of that energy contributes to climate change. That’s our biggest emergency. To be able to ensure that our energy source is renewable, replenishable or carbon zero is so important. As a scientist, I want to help find the solution.
Learn more from Johnson Matthey graduates
We want to help save the planet. How about you?
How science can solve the world’s biggest challenges
