In our long-running series of deep and meaningful interviews, this one’s a belter.
Professor Candid is a leading member of the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry and chairs the Australian Microbiological Association.
In 1962 he was jointly awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry alongside Dr Berkenstein for their pioneering work on X-ray crystallography which was instrumental in determining the structure of haemoglobin.
The Medical Republic spoke with him during a conference in Sydney.
What time do you get up?
Usually at about 8.30am
What do you have for breakfast?
Toast.
What time do you get into the lab?
Usually at about 9.30am. Unless the car breaks down, and then I walk home.
Do you own a leather jacket?
No. Oh hang on. I used to own one, but my wife made me throw it away.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have a cat called Mr Tiddles. I’ve taught him to claw and hiss at photographs of Dr Berkenstein.
Here he is hissing at him. Go on Mr Tiddles, show him who’s boss!
Which discovery or invention are you most proud of?
Probably my toupee detector.
How do you come up with your ideas?
Before I sit down to write I usually have a cup of Earl Gray and a digestive biscuit. So I guess my ideas come from tea and biscuits.
Do you have any advice for young people?
I don’t remember meeting any.
Next week on Profound Insights TMR interviews Christiaan Barnard and asks, why so many vowels?
