Student Representative

Andrew Wilson

Heya! I am a second year PhD student at the University of Otago studying ionic liquids and their usage in breath – based biosensing for diseases.
My science path began back in high school, where I was inspired to study Chemistry and Mathematics by my chemistry teacher (who was a botanist!). He would share the wild stories he had from his time in college to us in class, including when he had pet mosquitoes, or his time spent as a banana farmer. It was only when I got to university when I realised the fun that can be had with science, through means like outreach and education within chemistry. What point is there studying something you enjoy if there isn’t a way to spread that joy to others?
In 2024, I completed my honours validating fluorescent microscopy techniques on microalgae for biofuel research. During this time, I got my first experiences teaching undergraduate courses, which I have continued to do for the past two years.
Last year, I was elected to the Otago branch of the NZIC as a student representative, and helped organise multiple events, such as the annual ‘decorate your dessertation’, the NZC quiz night, and the chemistry department postgraduate symposium. At the end of last year, I was elected as the student representative for the NZIC council.
I bring to this role a love for teaching and sharing ways to make chemistry accessible, and a desire to increase rapport between students and branches.