Reactions - Jason Paul C. Monlinong

I imagined being interviewed for Nature Chemistry's Reactions Section and so I tried answering their usual question and ended up with this answer. I don't really want to put down myself but at this point in my career I just couldn't come up with impressive answers except for the answer on question # 6. Alright you guys...have fun reading...

Or you can read a sample interview from Nature Chemistry. This one is on Mark Muldoon. Another is on Marina Kuimova.

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1. What made you want to be a chemist?

Well, I originally planned to me a geneticist. But as University Entrance Exams would have it - I didn't qualify for the B.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at UP Diliman. Wanting to do scientific research anyways, I took up B.S. Chemistry. Chemistry has always been a challenging subject for me. It makes me dig deep for possibilities. A good knowledge on Chemistry will at some point in your life be valuable.

2. If you weren’t a chemist and could do any other job, what would it be - and why?

I'd probably be a journalist and be the one interviewing you right now. Or maybe a doctor if I could just get over my fear of doing surgeries.

3. What are you working on now, and where do you hope it will lead?

Aside from the routine analytical chemistry tests which I perform for the hospital, I am currently working with some fellow researchers on natural products towards the discovery of a cure for dengue virus infection. The team also plans to elucidate the mechanisms by which the infection is cured.

4. Which historical figure would you most like to have dinner with - and why?

I don't mind having dinner with Carl Sagan. I'm sure the conversation at dinner will be very amusing and will cover a wide range of philosophical musings.

5. When was the last time you did an experiment in the lab - and what was it?

30 minutes ago. Folin-Ciocalteau Assay. It was a very simple method for a very simple objective - to calculate for total phenolic content of the extracts we plan to test for anti-viral activity.

6. If exiled on a desert island, what one book and one music album would you take with you?

I'd like to have a choose-your-own-adventure suspense-romance-comedy novel. If you know one please tell me where I can get one. And I hope that I don't get to read all combinations before someone realizes that the civilized world needs me back and they are sending a cruise ship for me. I don't need a music album. I can sing anyways.

7. Which chemist would you like to see interviewed on Reactions - and why?

Bryan Christian N. Dela Isla - He's a very controversial friend. He is a good chemistry instructor I believe. His students will attest to that. Check his facebook! Check his blog!