April 18, 2018

Passion for the environment takes chemistry student to the end of the earth

University Medallist reflects on research experience in Antarctica 

Just a few months ago, Gwilym Price was embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.

The University of Wollongong student was bound for Antarctica, the last great wilderness, for three months of research against one of the world’s most spectacular backdrop.

It was an amazing experience for Gwilym, who said the 12-hour days of on-the-ground research never, for a moment, felt like work.

“I enjoyed it so much, it was an incredible experience,” Gwilym said. “We were having so much fun that it never felt like work. We spent our days out in boats, collecting samples of water and moss. It was jam-packed but so inspiring.”

Gwilym today (Wednesday 18 April) celebrated his graduation from UOW with a Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours), majoring in Chemistry. He was the winner of the University Medal for the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, an honour he described as “exciting and unexpected”.

He has always loved being outdoors, but said he originally came to University to study engineering. However, taking a few chemistry subjects in his first year made Gwilym realise that was where his interests really lay, so he switched degrees and never looked back.

His Honours research focused on ecotoxicology, a topic that he said speaks to his passion for the environment and for chemistry.

“I like being outdoors, I’ve always loved nature, and so ecotoxicology combines those two areas. I’m really passionate about environmental conservation. We only have one planet, so we should look after it.

He credits his success to the support of the academic staff in the School of Chemistry, who encouraged him to pursue his interests.

“The lecturers and researchers are incredible. They really want to see you succeed and learn all you can.”

Professor Will Price with graduating son, Gwilym Price.

 During his time at UOW, Gwilym undertook a study exchange at the University of Utrecht, in the Netherlands, an experience that opened his mind to the different types of learning taking place around the world.

“Going on exchange was awesome. It really opened my mind to different attitudes and ways of living. I met a lot of people and it really helped me to grow as a person,” he said of his time overseas, which also included a lot of travel around Europe.

The opportunity to take part in the trip to Antarctica arose after Gwilym, who was in his third year of his degree, approached Professor Dianne Jolley, from the School of Chemistry, as he was looking for a supervisor for his Honours year.

After he had finished his degree, he got involved in the Antarctica research team, and, because he was no longer studying, he had more time to explore the world of research. 

“They needed someone who understood science and chemistry, so I fit the bill. I had finished my degree, so I was able to get involved fully in the research side," he said. "It gave me a great opportunity to see what it’s like to be a full-time researcher.”

While Gwilym was in Antarctica, he was announced as the winner of the annual Leon Kane-Maguire Student Prize, which is awarded to the highest-achieving student completing an honours degree in the School of Chemistry.

Professor Leon Kane-Maguire was one of Australia’s leading research scientists and was made an Emeritus Professor at UOW in 2010. He passed away in 2011.

Although he wasn’t there to accept the award – his father, a Professor of Chemistry at UOW, accepted on his behalf – Gwilym said it was a meaningful honour, not only for its recognition of his hard work, but because Professor Kane-Maguire was a close family friend.

So what is Gwilym’s advice to students who want to make the most out of their university experience?

“Just say yes to new things,” said Gwilym, who is now working as an environmental scientist in Canberra. “If there is something you are interested in, go and talk to those researchers or people involved because you never know what opportunities can arise.”