We are delighted to introduce Professor Sarah Masters (University of Canterbury, New Zealand) as Commonwealth Chemistry’s newly elected President-Elect. Having served on the Commonwealth Chemistry Executive Board since the organisation’s inception, Sarah brings extensive experience, a passion for international collaboration and a deep commitment to supporting the next generation of chemists.
To help our members get to know the scientist and the person behind the role, we asked Sarah ten questions about her career, research, inspirations, leadership priorities and life beyond chemistry.
What first sparked your curiosity about chemistry, and when did you realise it might become your career?
I was incredibly fortunate to have outstanding chemistry teachers during my school years. Mr Jackson, who taught me both chemistry and physics, had a remarkable ability to inspire curiosity and encourage independent thinking. Later, when I changed schools, Mr Mann’s enthusiasm for chemistry was equally infectious. I can still picture him in his lab coat encouraging us to engage in “mental gymnastics” with chemistry equations and approach every experiment with confidence.
At school, I enjoyed both chemistry and history, but I could see a clearer career pathway in chemistry and chose to pursue it at university. There, I met my mentor, Professor David Rankin, whose guidance and encouragement played a pivotal role in shaping my academic career. His belief in supporting the next generation of scientists has stayed with me throughout my own journey.
This will need to be two sentences…. My research uses computational chemistry to understand and design materials for hydrogen storage and batteries, with the aim of developing safer and more efficient ways to store and transport clean energy. This supports the transition to a low-carbon future and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) and Climate Action (SDG 13), while my commitment to teaching and mentoring also contributes to Quality Education (SDG 4).
In one sentence, what do you research and why does it matter?
What’s one chemistry concept you wish everyone understood?
That everything is made of chemicals. The word “chemical” is often used as though it means something artificial or harmful, when in reality everything around us is made of chemicals.
Understanding this helps us ask better questions about risk, safety and evidence, rather than assuming something is good because it is “natural” or bad because it is “chemical”. Chemistry teaches us that it is the properties, quantities and interactions of substances that matter. Once you start to see the world through that lens, everyday phenomena become far more fascinating and understandable.
While publications, grants and research achievements are important, my proudest achievement is becoming the kind of academic and mentor that my own teachers and mentors were for me. Throughout my career, I have benefited from people who encouraged me, challenged me and helped me see opportunities that I might otherwise have missed.
The most rewarding aspect of my work is supporting students as they develop confidence in their abilities. Seeing them progress from uncertainty to success and knowing I have helped them recognise their own potential is, for me, the most meaningful measure of achievement.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
You’ve been involved with Commonwealth Chemistry since the beginning. What motivated you to get involved?
I saw Commonwealth Chemistry as a unique opportunity to strengthen connections across the global chemistry community and ensure that chemists from all Commonwealth nations had a voice in shaping our shared future. Its focus on collaboration, inclusivity and using chemistry to address global challenges strongly aligned with my own values.
Over the years, I have learned that the diversity of our community is one of our greatest strengths. Despite our different experiences, expertise and resources, we are united by a shared commitment to advancing chemistry and supporting future generations of scientists.
Without question, its people. The Commonwealth brings together countries with diverse cultures, scientific expertise and levels of development, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing and mutual support that are both meaningful and impactful.
What makes Commonwealth Chemistry distinctive is its strong sense of community and its ability to foster partnerships and mentorship across a wide range of contexts. That diversity of perspectives enables us to address global challenges in ways that are inclusive, innovative and relevant to the needs of our member countries.
What is Commonwealth Chemistry’s greatest asset?
What might surprise our members about you?
Outside work, much of my time revolves around horses. My children are talented riders who compete in show jumping and eventing, so weekends are often spent preparing for competitions or travelling to events. It is busy and demanding, but it is also a wonderful way to switch off from the equally busy demands of work.
One scientist I greatly admire is Dorothy Hodgkin, whose groundbreaking work in X-ray crystallography transformed structural chemistry and enabled the determination of complex biological structures. Her scientific achievements were extraordinary, but equally inspiring was her dedication to mentorship and supporting others.
Which scientist do you admire most?
What are your priorities as President-Elect?
My priorities centre on strengthening collaborative networks across the Commonwealth, enhancing research connectivity and supporting capacity building in regions with limited resources. I also want to continue championing the role of chemistry in addressing global challenges, while promoting equity, diversity and meaningful participation across all Commonwealth Chemistry activities.
Success, for me, would be a more connected and sustainable community where members feel genuinely supported and able to contribute, regardless of their geographic or institutional circumstances. I would also like to see stronger partnerships, greater exchange of ideas and a lasting legacy of initiatives that help develop talent and strengthen the chemical sciences across the Commonwealth.
Best piece of career advice? “Give everything a go and then ensure that you continue doing the things you both enjoy and that can make a difference.”
Book you’ve enjoyed recently? I don’t have much time to read for pleasure, but when I do, I particularly enjoy John Grisham novels. I recently finished The Widow which was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Your ideal way to spend a free Saturday? Saturdays are spent at home with the horses and family. We often compete at the weekends, so we are either at competitions or getting ready to go. It is a busy and often frustrating hobby but one that also gives a lot of pleasure and pride.
Tea or coffee? Definitely tea, with milk. I have been fortunate to receive some wonderful gifts of tea from my Sri Lankan colleagues on the Commonwealth Chemistry Executive Board, as well as from my Sri Lankan doctoral students. I am always very grateful to receive tea as a gift, and I love the beautiful packaging that it comes in.
A Commonwealth destination you’d love to visit? Can I have two places? I have never been to Sri Lanka and would very much love to visit. Having worked with several outstanding doctoral students from Sri Lanka, it would be a privilege to travel there, experience the country firsthand, and connect with those colleagues who are now contributing to academia in their own right.
I have also never been to Canada. When I emigrated from the UK to New Zealand, Canada was the other country I seriously considered, so it has always felt like a parallel path I never took. I would love the opportunity to visit and learn more about its culture, landscape, and scientific community, and to better understand what makes it such a vibrant and diverse place both academically and culturally.
Quickfire round
About Professor Sarah Masters Professor Sarah Masters is a structural chemist in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.Â
More information about our Executive Board can be found on our website
