STEM Ambassador Profile

Dr Brian Looker MA PhD

(retired chemist from GlaxoSmithKline, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry)

Tell us a bit about the work you did before you retired

I worked in Chemistry Research at Glaxo for almost 39 years. My chief task was to lead my team in identifying novel drug candidates and do everything possible to move them on towards becoming new drugs. I now go back on site about once a month to mentor some young graduates and PhDs.

What was the best thing about your work?

Making novel compounds with exciting properties, especially if one could get them to crystallise! One’s own compounds progressing towards the market is particularly exciting. I currently have a compound of major significance in Phase 3 clinical trials.

Why did you decide to become an Ambassador?

For the last 20 or so years of my career at Glaxo, one of my activities was to promote an understanding by university students of research opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry in general and at Glaxo in particular. It became obvious that not sufficient good sixth formers from schools wanted to pursue a long term career in science (especially chemistry). Generally, the problem was that people at school did not realise what an exciting career was possible in research in industry - their image was that it was a rather unpleasant, smelly job! Therefore when still at Glaxo I took part in careers fairs, visiting schools and also hosting visits to the research labs. Since retirement, I have been able to devote more time to STEM ambassador activites. It is as important as ever to promote scientific careers in schools – from as early an age as possible.

What kinds of activities have you been involved in as an Ambassador?

I try to help with all appropriate secondary school activities (WRL days helping with Air Dough or Mouldy Mugs usually) and some primary workshops (especially Exploring Materials and Microscopes and sometimes Plastazote, Senses and Light and Dark). I have helped with CREST Assessments and made school visits.

What are the positives for you about being an Ambassador?

It is very good to keep in touch with young people who are forming plans for their future careers.

Do you have any tips for future STEM Ambassadors?

Take every chance when it comes along.

When you were younger, did you always want to work in Science?

Yes! As soon as I found out what chemistry was, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the foreseeable future – and I did! The ability to make a new substance from several others was a revelation.