Dr Andrew Fraser works in medicinal chemistry, researching cures for neglected diseases: he’s worked on African sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis, among others.
Andrew recently completed his PhD at University of St Andrews before he took up his new role with LGC-Link manufacturing reagents for DNA synthesis.
He chose to study for his undergraduate degree at UWS for its flexibility, he says. He has Crohn’s disease, and UWS was the only place in Scotland where he could study Chemistry part-time.
Once he was sure his health could handle the workload, he switched to full-time study, and focused in on medicinal chemistry.
Andrew said: “The lecturers were really helpful and supportive – particularly in the final years when things were tougher. The core staff would bend over backwards to help you out. Some concepts in chemistry are difficult to get your head around, and sometimes it takes a one-to-one conversation to understand them. With small class sizes at UWS, it was always easy to talk to the lecturers - even during busy term time.”
Indeed, Andrew didn’t expect to do a PhD – then his supervisor recommended he apply. It was exactly the career-forming guidance he needed, says Andrew.
The lecturers were really helpful and supportive – particularly in the final years when things were tougher. The core staff would bend over backwards to help you out.
Dr Andrew Fraser
Last updated: 18/12/2018