Dr John Morgan, courtesy of Perry Hastings, Downing College
Dr John Morgan has been appointed Assistant Professor in Theoretical Chemistry jointly between Downing College and this department.
After graduating in Natural Sciences at Downing, John completed a PhD in theoretical chemistry with David Wales in 2016, where in addition to research he also conducted supervisions and demonstrations. After a one-year postdoc in pure research at the University of Michigan, John returned to Cambridge.
As a postdoc in the Wales group John was happy to take on further supervisions, demonstrations and practicals because he had missed the variety. He also enjoyed the teaching. “When you have to teach something to someone else you realise you have to fully understand it,” he says.
John continues to enjoy the variety of his many roles. At Downing he is a Fellow in Chemistry, Director of Studies and Undergraduate Tutor. He is involved in admissions and interviews, a task which he also fulfilled at Magdalene College for two years. “It’s quite a taxing job, but very important. We are always looking for the brightest and most academically able.”
Below: John acting as Praelector at last year's undergraduate Matriculation, with Master of Downing Professor Graham Virgo, courtesy Martin Bond, Downing College.
John also holds the ceremonial post of Praelector at Downing. “It’s a happy role,” he explains. “You see the students at big celebratory events: arrival, matriculation, admission of scholars and graduation.”
Downing College Senior Tutor Professor Guy Williams, who taught John as an undergraduate, says: “We are absolutely delighted that John has been appointed as an Assistant Professor. He has a great rapport with the students in Downing who regard his teaching very highly, and he is a great contributor to the College community”.
As a University Theory Teaching Officer in the department, John has already taken a major role in revising theory practicals. “A modern research chemist must not only be able to run complex computer software, but they’ve also got to understand the methods. You can’t just treat the computer as a black box.” He is now helping revise the upper year theory courses and the practicals that go with them, as well as being involved in the department’s broader review of the curriculum and teaching structure.
John says that working in both a college and department environment is a real advantage. “I get to see the different aspects of what everybody’s doing from both perspectives. At a college it’s more about helping individual students, while the department sets the wider course structure. It definitely helps relations between the two groups.”
Head of Department James Keeler says: “I’m delighted with this appointment, which is the first we have made on the University’s new Teaching and Scholarship pathway for academic staff. This pathway is focused on undergraduate teaching and brings long overdue recognition to those, such as our Teaching Fellows, who are so important in the delivery of our undergraduate program. John will bring a great deal to an already strong team, and his joint appointment with Downing strengthens and underlines the importance of strong links between College and University teaching.”
In the little spare time he has, John is a member of the Cambridge University Yacht Club, where he has trained to become a qualified Yachtmaster and Skipper. “I have to be available by phone and email during work hours, so I love the idea of being out on the water and not reachable at all.”