Nobel Prize winner David MacMillan recently spoke to LHS students about his educational journey, love for science, and advice for those who wish to pursue research in the future. 

MacMillan was born in Bellshill, United Kingdom, and received his education from Bellshill Academy, University of Glasgow, and University of California, Irvine. He and Benjamin List are founders of organocatalysis, a field of chemistry focusing on small organic chemicals. MacMillan told the BBC, “This has had a great impact on pharmaceutical research, and has made chemistry greener.”

The virtual meeting featured MacMillan and Michael Rabinowitz, a close acquaintance to MacMillan; the pair spoke to the LHS AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry students.  During the presentation, senior Collin Lung asked MacMillan the difference between American and Scottish education. MacMillan answered that he admires America’s educational variety in comparison to Scotland’s.

AP Biology and Research teacher Charles Vesalico asked about MacMillan’s past failure and how he overcame these obstacles. MacMillan said that he faced rejection from universities, projects, and his peers. “I learned to accept rejection and kept moving forward,” MacMillan said. 

Senior Manaka Ogura, a student interested in pursuing a career in STEM, asked MacMillan advice for seeking out independent research projects. It is important for students to “find their own way” and “seek research opportunities out,” replied MacMillan. He emphasized the importance of making connections in the STEM world. 

Rabinowitz, AP World History teacher David Rabinowitz’s brother, spoke of his work in the pharmaceutical industry with a concentration in chemistry. He stated that he loved “putting on a lab coat,” and that working in a lab in his youth was the hardest he ever worked. Rabinowitz said he admired the drive of young scientists, and they loved “every minute of work.” 

When asked about failure and perseverance, MacMillan said that his love for science and discovery pushed him toward success. He thrived off of his ability to “prove people wrong” and proving himself to those who doubted him.

Both MacMillan and Rabinowitz explained how their relationship with science changed as they grew. MacMillan stated in high school his sole focus was not chemistry, but soccer. He joked his first interest was physics, but the lectures were given too early in the morning. Initially, he was drawn to chemistry classes because they give at a more reasonable hour. 

Rabinowitz said he originally studied art history at Colgate University, but later switched to chemistry because of his poor grades in art history. He said he began to enjoy it because it came to him with ease…apparently, chemistry is everything!