Engaging with Nora de Leeuw on the Spot
Nora de Leeuw: A Versatile Computational Chemist and Executive Dean
Nora de Leeuw, a renowned computational chemist and the executive dean of the faculty of engineering and physical sciences at the University of Leeds, UK, has had an unusual yet inspiring career journey.
De Leeuw's academic focus has always been on chemistry, but her path to this field was anything but straightforward. After studying chemical engineering for a year, she found it lacked the emphasis on chemistry she was seeking. This realization led her to pursue an Open University degree in chemistry with physics.
Before her current roles, De Leeuw worked outside academia, gaining valuable experiences in the hotel and catering business, solicitors' offices, and even running a business with her then-husband. These experiences, she believes, have provided her with a unique perspective that enriches her work in academia.
De Leeuw's dedication to her field is evident in her hard work ethic. She thinks that hard work is the most important factor in research. This work ethic was rewarded in 2009 when she was awarded the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. In 2023, she was further honoured with the Royal Society of Chemistry's interdisciplinary prize.
Despite her success in academia, De Leeuw sometimes wonders if she could have been an architect. Her love for versatility and employability in various fields extends to her beliefs about chemists, whom she sees as versatile and employable in numerous sectors.
De Leeuw values the importance of teaching the next generation of students by those who do the research. She acknowledges that there can be friction between teaching and research in a big faculty, but she believes that the two are interconnected and essential for the growth of the academic community.
When it comes to finding inspiration, De Leeuw prefers to wander and think. Her best ideas often come to her during quiet moments of reflection. When she needs to focus on concentrated work, she prefers to work at her desk.
One constant in De Leeuw's life is her horse, Berta, an Irish draught. De Leeuw finds solace and inspiration in her equine companion, a testament to her ability to find balance and creativity in both her personal and professional life.
Despite the absence of detailed information about her early career, academic background, or previous positions specifically, De Leeuw's contributions to the field of computational chemistry and her leadership role at the University of Leeds speak volumes about her dedication and accomplishments. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that a non-linear career path can lead to great success.
- Nora de Leeuw's unique career journey includes experiences in various sectors, such as the hotel and catering business, solicitors' offices, and even running a business, which she believes enhances her academic work and demonstrates the versatility and employability of chemists in numerous fields.
- Science, health, and wellness are significant areas of interest for Nora de Leeuw, as she champions the interconnection between teaching, research, and workplace wellness in order to foster the growth of the academic community and promote health and wellness for its members.
- Mental health is a topic close to Nora de Leeuw's heart, as she recognizes the importance of finding balance and creativity in both personal and professional life, drawing inspiration from her equine companion, Berta, during quiet moments of reflection.
- As space and astronomy have long captivated the human spirit, Nora de Leeuw, being a renowned computational chemist, contributes to this field by furthering our understanding of chemistry in the vastness of space, including the potential applications of her research in therapies and treatments for women's health, such as understanding the chemical processes involved in menopause.
