Dr James Wilton-Ely reflects on his colourful and varied path from Imperial alumnus to leading light in the Department of Chemistry

Dr Wilton-Ely spared time from his hectic schedule to answer questions about his work and career. Here’s what he had to say.

When did you first come to Imperial?

I came here as an undergraduate in 1990 to study on a four year BSc course with the third year abroad; the only place in the country where chemists could do this at the time. I was able to work in a research group in the heart of Florence on the sort of Chemistry I ended up doing for my PhD. Then I returned for my final year and worked on a project with Professor Tony Hill. I then carried on for my PhD; another three years with Professor Hill followed by a year as a Fixed-Term Lecturer in the Department.

Why did you choose to leave?

I don’t come from a scientific background. My parents are both art historians and I wanted to be sure that engaging in an academic career was right for me. I had a Post Doc lined up in Germany but before accepting, I took a year out travelling, visiting every continent except Antarctica! As it turned out, I couldn’t stop thinking about research and the ideas I had, so I was convinced it was the right path.

Can you tell us about your years as a ‘wandering academic?

First, I spent two years in Munich. I had started learning German at school then, with the Goethe Institute across the road in South Kensington, I also had lessons while at Imperial. It was quite a shock for the group there – a person from England speaking decent German! Then even more of a shock when the undergraduates I taught in English out-performed their peers learning in German… there were quite a few raised eyebrows and some good-natured consternation among the Faculty. However, it is probably true that those who chose to study in English were already the brightest!

Next, I returned to the UK and found a Post Doc in St Andrews, where I worked on an industrial chemistry project, quite different to what I had been doing before. This brought my focus towards applied chemistry – and my first independent Fellowship position at UCL.

I spent two happy years back in London, where I started to publish and to grow my research group before moving to Merton College, Oxford. At Oxford, I started to work on some of the things that are now the focus of my work, such as chemistry applied to medicine – before coming back here.

So, it was a quite a circuitous route back to Imperial but what I learned was crucial to what I do now.

What do you think sets Imperial apart?

I enjoy the place, the ethos and I think the emphasis on lab work makes it stand out compared to most courses in the country. Coming back, I’ve seen just how versatile Imperial is – the commitment to collaboration with colleagues from other disciplines, such as medicine and engineering. It all adds up to a dynamism I’ve not seen to the same degree anywhere else.

What is the focus of your work today?

It’s three things really, which could be summarised as imaging, sensing and biomass.

One of the main things I’m involved with is developing new tools for imaging in the body and combining these with targeting aspects to deliver a therapeutic effect. For example, the means to inject a cancer patient with nanoparticles that travel straight to a tumour site so that treatment can be more precisely targeted to avoid damaging healthy tissue.

An example of sensing work is the detection of carbon monoxide from things like faulty boilers. We have developed a simple detection method using strips that change colour to show if this gas is in the air and how much. We are also looking at detecting the carbon monoxide generated naturally in the body, something associated with how cells communicate and regulate themselves. We would like to develop a diagnostic system that can monitor these changes when diseases are present.

In terms of biomass, I am working with my colleague Jason Hallett in Chemical Engineering through the Green Chemistry MRes course that I run – looking at metal compounds as catalysts to break down biomass. We are also exploring the potential to make new carbon-neutral products and fuels from biomass. Coca Cola has already put quite a lot of money into making packaging from this sort of biorenewable plastic, which shows a growing awareness that we need these new approaches.

What first enlivened your interest in chemistry?

I was fortunate to have a very good and inspiring chemistry teacher, Dr Moody. He had a PhD, which was unusual for a state school and he had spent years in industry. This experience outside education really came through in lessons and it was exciting to hear of the impact chemistry makes in the world.

This experience also made me passionate about teaching. One of the reasons I enjoy being here at Imperial is that having learned from so many great teachers and lecturers, I now have the chance to pass that on to the next generation.

I’m also very involved in outreach. I have two kids – aged seven and two - and I know how important it is to inspire them with science. I give talks in schools and sixth form students come to my lab to shadow researchers. I’ve even published a paper with a sixth form student who went on to Cambridge.

Do you have much contact with your fellow alumni?

I have met alumni at fringe events and when my group and I have presented at the Imperial Festival. I will be involved with the Festival again this year (6-7 May), as part of the SPIN-Lab team, demonstrating magnetism and how we measure magnetic properties.

I’m an alumnus myself so it’s always nice to see people coming back who have a similar fondness for the College. People hold the place in great affection as a home for innovators and great characters - and I am proud to be part of this tradition.