Meet the YCG – Matt Reeves

By | April 24, 2018

Now is time to introduce Matt Reeves! Matt sits on the committee as an ordinary member working with both the University of Edinburgh and the CCDC.

Name
Matt Reeves

Current position
PhD Student, The University of Edinburgh

What do you currently research?
My work is currently focused on applying python scripting to the Cambridge Structural Database to elucidate new information on the structures contained. I also work in applying computational methods to crystal structures in order to better understand the underlying interactions that occur within these structures.

What is your favourite thing about being a crystallographer?
Focusing primarily at a computational level, on a daily basis I feel like I really work at the fringe of crystallography. Nevertheless its incredible how despite the diversity of this field and the differences in my work and that of colleagues, the key understanding and theory has to be considered and utilized throughout all areas.

Who, or what, inspires you to do science?
I’m most motivated and inspired by producing new tools and processes; applying scripts in python to ease or improve crystallographic tasks for other users and coming up with new programs that can help the wider community.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to anyone starting out in scientific research?
Be ambitious. It never hurts to go beyond either what you aimed for or what is expected of you. Personally, it’s the ambitious targets and tasks that have been most rewarding and interesting for me, and that’s where the work has paid off and felt most satisfying.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Being based in Edinburgh, I really try to take the opportunity to get out and visit parts of this great city and the rest of Scotland. The change of scenery from the weekday office provides a refreshing change and the opportunity to visit some really amazing places.

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