Profile
Mark Ridgill
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About Me:
I’m a research chemist who lives in Oxfordshire, my hobbies include golf, gardening and real ale!
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I was born and raised in Doncaster and was a lanky unsporting type until I discovered basketball. I progressed from local league to junior national league and played at county level for over 30 years. I now play golf most weekends at a modest but enjoyable level. My lockdown hobby was turning beer bottle tops into fridge magnets!
I got a job in a working man’s club whilst in the sixth form which gave me much more self confidence.
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My pronouns are:
he/him
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My Work:
I’m a chemist working to discover new drugs.
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I’m a medicinal chemist, I design and make chemicals that are tested to see if they can be used to treat diseases.
There are two parts to the job, I use computer models, scientific papers and my experience to invent new chemical compounds. I then actually synthesise (make) the compounds (chemicals) using organic chemistry.
The compounds are tested for their activity and we use this information to design the next compounds.
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My Typical Day:
I’m not an early bird so strong coffee first thing is a must! I arrive at work around 8-30 and I spend the day thinking of the next molecules to make and making them. I generally leave around 5-30.
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I manage a team of chemists and together we design and synthesise (make) molecules to test as treatments for diseases.
I use the data stored on computers to design the next molecules to make. I use organic chemistry to join together small molecules into bigger molecules. We make sure the molecules are pure and send them to be tested.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
My company is just starting to look into outreach activities so I would use the prize money to give these activities a boost.
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Education:
The McAuley School Doncaster – A levels – failed
Worthing technical college- HNC Chemistry whilst working
Brighton Polytechnic- HND Chemistry whilst working
Imperial College London – BSc Chemistry full time
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd Scientist – Research Associate
Pfizer inc – Senior Scientist
Evotec UK Ltd Senior Scientist
Novartis UK – Scientist 2
Evotec UK Ltd – Team leader
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Qualifications:
GCSE’s Integrated science (2 O’ levels), maths, computer studies, english lang, english lit, history
AO maths
A level general studies
BTEC ONC Chemistry
BTEC HNC Chemistry
BSc Chemistry
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Work History:
Bar work
Lab technician – production support
Lab technician – Chemical development
Student – summer jobs – petrol pump attendant – metal worker
MSD UK
Staff chemist – Organic synthesis
Research chemist – Synthetic/medicinal chemist
Senior research chemist – Synthetic/medicinal chemist
Research associate – medicinal chemist
Pfizer – Senior scientist
Evotec – Senior scientist
Novartis – Scientist 2
Evotec
Senior Scientist 1
Principal scientist
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Current Job:
Evotec UK Team Leader Discovery Chemistry
We carry out contract research for companies of all sizes. Designing and making compounds for biological testing with the aim of finding new medicines (drugs).
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Employer:
Evotec
A contract research organisation which can provide services o cover all the phases of drug discovery:
Biological testing
Lead identification – Screening compound libraries for new projects
Lead optimisation – Making changes to improve activity and drug properties
Development – Larger scale preparation – Kg
Safety studies – Is it safe to go into patients
Clinical studies – Testing in healthy volunteers and then patients.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Finds new treatments
What did you want to be after you left school?
Got a job as a lab technician
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, mostly for talking & joking
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Architect or Brewer
Who is your favourite singer or band?
David Bowie
What's your favourite food?
Chicken chana balti
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
A better golf swing, Better at DIY, my own brewery
Tell us a joke.
How many moles in a guacamole? Avocado's number!
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