• Question: What is the biggest misconception the public has about your field of research?

    Asked by hoya532meed78 on 8 Apr 2026.
    • Photo: Martin McCoustra

      Martin McCoustra answered on 8 Apr 2026:

      I’m not sure that the public have any misconceptions… As astrochemistry is driven by astronomy, we neatly piggy-back on astronomical observations which the public enjoy in explaining the role of chemistry in the Universe – from helping to make small stars and providing the chemical origins of life.

Comments

  • Photo: Mark

    Mark commented on :

    I’m a medicinal chemist working to discover new medicines/drugs, I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that pharmaceutical companies have cures for diseases but don’t sell them because they make more money by treating the symptoms of disease.
    Recent improvements to to lives of patients living with diseases such as cystic fibrosis or some cancers shows that we are making progress