Solving problems in biology is never as simple as it seems. As we dig deeper into how biology works, we find ever-more complicated and interlinked systems that control biological processes, and become more aware of how difficult it is to intervene selectively when things go wrong in disease.

Chemistry is having a dramatic impact on the way in which we study biology; it’s come a long way from the “study of stinks”. Chemical biology uses chemistry tools and techniques, as well as drawing from many other disciplines such as maths, computer science and engineering, to open up our understanding of biology.

This lecture will look at the ways in which we have been developing and employing these chemical tools to help us to win the war in unlocking complex biological questions. After all, “every tool is a weapon if you hold it right”.

TO BOOK A SEAT:

please email events@aston.ac.uk, or for further information please contact Emma Sutton on 0121 204 4542.

TIME:

6pm start, tea and coffee from 5.30pm. A buffet will follow the lecture.

James will be hosting an informal drinks reception from 7pm on Wednesday 28th November at New Asia Bar, Swissotel, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882.

The evening is designed to bring together the Aston community of alumni and friends - to commemorate your shared experiences, engage in valuable dialogue with each other and update you on what is new at ABS. Some potential MBA candidates may be with us earlier in the evening, so I'm sure you'll make them feel welcome, too. 

We very much hope you'll be able to join me and share your experiences since graduating from Aston.

You will have the opportunity to meet leading companies and discuss career opportunities.

There will be also special seminars on various topics related to career and professional development:

- A day in the life of an Ambassador

- What do CEO’s expect from their team?

- Working internationally – what is working for an international organisation like?

Admission is free and will be held at Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit (BTS Asoke) from 12.00-17.00 hrs. Details of the events and how to register can be obtained from

http://www.britishcouncil.org/thailand-education-students-career-match-making-fair.htm

It may be cold in Birmingham, but Aston graduates in Hanoi enjoyed mild temperatures and warm greetings as they gathered at the city’s elegant Silkpath Hotel for a reunion. Alumni from across the Schools, including the President of the Aston Vietnam Alumni Network Dinh Huong, chatted and met Aston’s lively Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Alison Halstead.

Professor Halstead, along with her colleague Dr Anne Wheeler, were visiting Vietnam on a collaborative project with the University of Denang. The project, entitled Innovative Research and Curriculum Partnerships with Industry for University Success, is supported by the British Council.

The evening, hosted by Professor Alison Halstead, provided a great occasion for alumni to come together and make new contacts. Professor Halstead spoke about the developments back on campus in the UK and about forging relationships between Aston and Vietnam in the future. 

The evening was very popular and talk turned to the next reunions which will be held in March in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Photographs from the event can be seen at http://www.astonalumni.org/newsarticle/hanoi.

For further details and to join the Aston Vietnam Alumni Network, please go to www.astonalumni.org/intnetwork.