Ben Armitage started his working life patrolling the motorways of West Yorkshire for the Highways Agency.
That was before he realised his real career destination was in scientific research.
Now – as he nears the completion of a degree course at Huddersfield University – the 29-year-old from Slaithwaite has been awarded a prize which marks him out as one of the country’s most promising young analytical chemists.
Ben is in the third year of his Master of Chemistry course at the university – and high marks during his second year have earned him the prestigious Shalgosky Award, bestowed by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
When he took his year-two exams in analytical chemistry, Ben was the best of his cohort, with a mark of 94%. His exceptional results were forwarded to the RSC and he was judged to be the top-performing second-year undergraduate in the country.
The award he receives is in memory of the late Harry Shalgosky, a highly-respected member of the RSC’s analytical division.
Ben is delighted by his prize – a certificate and £800 – and his choice of course, saying: “I just enjoy chemistry so much and it seems I am quite good at it!”
After attending Mirfield Free Grammar School and Greenhead College , Ben went to work for the Highways Agency, based in Wakefield, covering stretches of the M1 and M62.
Seeking fresh horizons, he decided to study science and enrolled first for a Foundation Year at the university before embarking on his four-year MChem degree. He is currently carrying out research during a third-year internal placement.
Ben’s goal is to continue as a researcher in inorganic chemistry and synthesis. Once his Master’s degree is completed, he aims to move on to doctoral study.
Course leader Dr Karl Hemming, said: “It’s great to see our students getting recognition in this way.
“Ben is one of a very talented current cohort of students and we offer him our congratulations and our best wishes for his future in chemistry.”
