By 
Lecturer, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Laboratory for Bioinspired Interfacial Materials, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde
Tel: +44 (0)141 548 2162 aaron.lau@strath.ac.uk
The Scottish Crucible has certainly been an enriching experience while starting out as an early career academic/scientist. It quickly provided me a professional network in Scotland. It is helping me start collaborations with peers/researchers both from my own university e.g. fellow Cruciblist, Dr Michelle MacLean, University of Strathclyde and externally, e.g. Dr Dimitrios I. Gerogiorgis, University of Edinburgh with whom I have submitted 2 cross disciplinary proposals in the areas of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry/Nanotechnology.
Scottish Crucible has helped me gain exposure to the executive team within my university, as well as to validate my track record externally, that could have contributed to winning large international research awards. I have included my cruciblist award on my CV, and have had some grant successes, including a 3-site US1.05M/£760k international collaborative research grant, as lead-PI, from the Human Frontier Science Program (a multi-governmental agency).
Some of the benefits of Scottish Crucible may be difficult to quantify, but the experience has certainly helped to validate my track record, to help establish a research network (in Scotland), and to gain research and communication skills that are helping me in furthering my career.
