26 year-old Maranda Thomson has been named the UK chemical industry young person of the year for 2003
Young Scottish chemist Maranda Thomson was named the UK Chemical Industry Young Person of the Year 2003 at a prestigious awards dinner in London this month.
Although the award has been in existence for 20 years, the 26-year old analytical development chemist, who works for GlaxoSmithKline at Montrose and beat off stiff competition from across the UK, is the first employee of the chemical industry in Scotland to win the title.
Maranda now becomes the official young ambassador for the chemical industry for the next twelve months.
Her key task will be to work with the CIA and other young people, including the winners from regions of England and Wales, to raise awareness of the contribution that the chemical industry can bring to local communities, as well as the exciting career opportunities it has to offer young people. She will also be invited to chair the chemical industry's Young Persons Network.
"From my experience, the chemical industry is perceived by the public to be inaccessible and furtive.
"There are many reasons for this and it is too easy to blame others for the current misconceptions.
"I can't wait to play my part and hope to inspire others in our industry to do more to promote its valuable contributions to exciting and diverse issues throughout the world", commented Maranda, who has already spent time tutoring secondary school science students in her local area.
Maranda graduated from Imperial College in London with a BSc in chemistry and biotechnology in 1999.
She continues: "The chemical industry offers challenging and diverse career options but the subject of chemistry is often perceived as 'academic' and boring. "Even chemistry graduates are often enticed away to other industries".
Judith Hackitt, director general of the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) which organises the award, underlines its importance: "This Award plays a vital role in helping to give a human face to the chemical industry, as well as attracting fresh young talent.
"It is extremely encouraging to see committed young people from all parts of the industry, like Maranda, who are passionate about the work they do. "She is testament to what young people in our industry can achieve.
"The CIA has a commendable record of working closely with young people to ensure the industry they inherit will be sustainable, environmentally and socially as well as economically.
"We will give Maranda every opportunity to turn her positive ideas into action in the coming months". The awards dinner, hosted by BBC news presenter, George Alagiah took place at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, London.
Maranda accepted her award from Barry Stickings, chairman of award sponsor BASF.
She will also receive a cheque for œ600 and an all-inclusive overseas educational visit, as the guest of CB and I John Brown Process Technology.
National judging took place in London in June where a panel of industry experts assessed the ability, enthusiasm and leadership skills of each of the regional finalists.
All entrants presented work they have done with local communities and had to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the industry worldwide.
