Dr Stephanie Powley
ECG Bulletin July 2024
Steph studied for her first degree (in environmental chemistry) at Bangor University and then completed a MSc at Southampton University. Employment with British American Tobacco (BAT) was interspersed with research for a PhD on the analysis (LC-MS) of oligonucleotides, again at Southampton University, before Steph returned to BAT where she investigates the impacts of vaping.
What inspired you to become a scientist?
Despite coming from a very artistic family, I have always had an interest in why and how things work, which sparked myinterest in the sciences. Also, growing up on the Isle of Wight, being surrounded by water, and having a surfing background, I was always aware of potential pollution problems and how it affected me and others.
What inspired you to become a scientist?
Despite coming from a very artistic family, I have always had an interest in why and how things work, which sparked myinterest in the sciences. Also, growing up on the Isle of Wight, being surrounded by water, and having a surfing background, I was always aware of potential pollution problems and how it affected me and others.
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How did you come to specialise in analytical chemistry?
During my undergraduate degree, and then more so during my masters, I found that my favourite part of chemistry was analysis. Being able to measure and quantify components within a product I found fascinating. It was so muchmore than looking at the theoretical side or synthesising products like an organic chemist, I got to work on what I love…. Instruments. Before my PhD, I took a job at the Oceanography Centre, which was applying basic principles to address marine chemistry, but I missed the complexity and certainty that spectroscopy techniques offer. Now I am back at BAT, I just love being able to diversify analytically, and when we get questions from our stakeholders internally, e.g. how much of this compound is in there, or what compounds are newly formed when you vape this device? Being able to answer those questions is so fulfilling. It's great!! |
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Could you describe your current job?
My current job is understanding the fundamental chemistry of our products and researching ways to help support our tobacco harm reduction programme.
What advice would you give to anyone considering a career in environmental chemistry?
I think be open to whatever comes along; I never expected that I would be working in an industrial lab. I had hoped that I'd be working in marine chemistry, collecting seawater samples and analysing them. I had no idea, until I tried it that this wasn’t for me! As I’ve had so many breaks by just going for all opportunities that came across my path. Initially I tried this job out for six months, thinking it was a transition job, but I ended up staying because I loved it!!
What are some of the challenges facing the environmental chemistry community?
One of the main challenges is the culture, particularly in this country, of “we don’t need experts”. There have been some fantastic, more grassroots, campaigns of getting environmental awareness across social media and the news. It's a shame that we need people who are non-scientists pushing this agenda, but if we as scientists can work alongside, and in support then, hopefully, we can get back to a stage where people actually will trust scientists and experts.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
Being in the same place for so long (11 years), I’ve seen the development of a lot of products that can reduce the risks of smoking by reducing the toxicants associated with combustible products through vaping technologies, and the analysis I've done has gone a long way to supporting continued developments. Being able to help our product developers understand what they need to do with their products to make them potentially less harmful for consumers is very fulfilling!
If you weren’t a scientist, what would you do?
I think I would like to work with animals in some way, maybe as a zookeeper!
And what do you do when you are not working?
I love being out in nature taking pictures of animals, landscapes, and plants. Oh, and I also love crochet.
My current job is understanding the fundamental chemistry of our products and researching ways to help support our tobacco harm reduction programme.
What advice would you give to anyone considering a career in environmental chemistry?
I think be open to whatever comes along; I never expected that I would be working in an industrial lab. I had hoped that I'd be working in marine chemistry, collecting seawater samples and analysing them. I had no idea, until I tried it that this wasn’t for me! As I’ve had so many breaks by just going for all opportunities that came across my path. Initially I tried this job out for six months, thinking it was a transition job, but I ended up staying because I loved it!!
What are some of the challenges facing the environmental chemistry community?
One of the main challenges is the culture, particularly in this country, of “we don’t need experts”. There have been some fantastic, more grassroots, campaigns of getting environmental awareness across social media and the news. It's a shame that we need people who are non-scientists pushing this agenda, but if we as scientists can work alongside, and in support then, hopefully, we can get back to a stage where people actually will trust scientists and experts.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
Being in the same place for so long (11 years), I’ve seen the development of a lot of products that can reduce the risks of smoking by reducing the toxicants associated with combustible products through vaping technologies, and the analysis I've done has gone a long way to supporting continued developments. Being able to help our product developers understand what they need to do with their products to make them potentially less harmful for consumers is very fulfilling!
If you weren’t a scientist, what would you do?
I think I would like to work with animals in some way, maybe as a zookeeper!
And what do you do when you are not working?
I love being out in nature taking pictures of animals, landscapes, and plants. Oh, and I also love crochet.
