Hi Matthew, what is your favorite aspect of your research?
Talking with students and post-docs about their latest data and ideas. I still get excited to see the first NMR spectra, or radio-HPLC data from new reactions and discuss what the outcome might mean.
For me working in the field of radiochemistry is very fulfilling as you can apply chemistry to help solve challenges in synthesizing radiotracers or answering questions in biology. Nuclear medicine brings together so many people with different backgrounds which makes it such a stimulating research area to work in.
 
 What is your vision of the future of radiochemistry/radiopharmacy/nuclear medicine?
From a radiochemist’s perspective, there are lots of exciting new reactions that have been reported in the last few years. These methods are starting to bring down the barriers that made radiochemical synthesis difficult and restrictive in regard to substrate scope. With more tools available for radiochemical synthesis it will be interesting to see how these methods impact on the development of new radiotracers towards the clinic.
 
What is your opinion on why young researchers should choose radiochemistry as their research discipline?
Radiochemistry is truly interdisciplinary and allows you to explore many areas of science by working with experts outside of your own immediate field of specialization. This mix of scientific backgrounds provides a fantastic training experience, as well as a broad overview of the research landscape.
Do you have encouraging advice for young researchers to succeed in the world of science?
Take on projects and research that really excite and interest you. If you enjoy the research that you’re doing it helps the other things fall into place.
If I were not a scientist, I would be …
Most likely working in the countryside – perhaps an agronomist. 
 
Who inspired you to choose this field/science?
I was fortunate to have excellent science teachers during my time at High School. My two chemistry teachers in particular were fantastic and really inspired me to study chemistry at University.
What do you in your spare hours? 
Running and swimming. Also prone to losing weekends reading fantasy/sci-fi book series!