MacGyver was my hero as a young 20-something because, at heart, I’m a problem solver. Give me some basic tools and some time and I’ll find a solution to your problem. I found that my unique blend of theoretical and applied skills were uniquely beneficial in materials chemistry. My problem-solving skills have been central to my adventures in materials research which has included many topics and techniques such as:- characterising and controlling the aggregation behaviour of small molecules- solution-based deposition techniques including slot-die coating and roll-to-roll printing- activating surfaces for functionalisation and deposition of active materials- characterising the electromechanical properties of metallized textiles- developing and coding unprecedented data analysis techniquesIn my experience, problem solving is the best way to learn any subject material. I’ve found that my students have had the most success when I give them the chance to solve selected problems of their own and then offer guidance if they get lost along the way. A personal highlight for me is when students have recognised me years later because I had made such an impact with my problem solving-based teaching style. That’s why I leapt at the chance to work on developing an interactive symposium which uses gamified learning to teach complex and underrepresented topics in sustainable chemistry. By guiding attendees through puzzles and dilemmas, they are able to work with those concepts in a tangible way and apply it to their own workplaces. Looking to further improve my own workplace, I joined the departmental safety committee and was entrusted to develop a safety infographic designed to convey key information during an emergency. The skills I developed while teaching enabled me to bring together various sometimes contradictory ideas from the committee to make the infographic simple, accessible and most importantly, useful.As a problem solver, I'm always looking to learn new things – I have acquired a number of hobbies that all involve learning new skills and walking into problems as a beginner that you then need to solve (if you’ve ever tried to add pockets to dress pants, you know what I mean). If the workplace is where you go to solve problems, hobbies are where you practice solving problems.In short, problem solving has been the undercurrent of nearly all of my choices in my adult life. It’s something I need to do and something I want to do. And I’m always interested in what problem I’m going to get to solve next.