Fiamma Lalji, HS Chemistry Teacher
Sometimes science chooses you

Laura Martinez, Staff Writer


“I fell into chemistry by accident.”

Forty years ago, High School Science Teacher Fiamma Lalji dreamed of studying arts, history, and theater, but fate (and a nudge from her all-girls Catholic school) landed her in science courses. Her natural talent for STEM subjects and the school’s efforts to fill more science classes led her into the lab—and she never left.

When choosing her undergraduate course of study, Fiamma initially opted for medicine, but the allure of chemistry labs outshone stethoscopes; this change of heart unlocked a world of hands-on industry opportunities.

“I did a sandwich degree, which meant I had work experiences in many places,” she said. “I worked as a chemist at Cadbury’s, British American Tobacco, a water treatment company, and a perfume company. It was fascinating to learn about each sector and get a real sense of the economy.”

Despite enjoying these practical work experiences, Fiamma craved a more social environment than industry provided. Beyond the research, she loved explaining complex concepts to her colleagues. That’s when she found her calling to education.


With a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in applied chemistry from the University of Portsmouth, a master’s in industrial chemistry from the University of Southampton, and several postgraduate degrees in education, Fiamma has taught and held administrative positions in schools worldwide. At Graded, she teaches chemistry, physics, and biology to high school students, demonstrating the subjects' applicability to diverse careers.

“Science is all around us. There are many ways that people can be scientists today—in fashion, the culinary world, or the medical field,” she said. “The science is there, and the chemistry is there, and it’s relevant to their everyday life.”

Fiamma’s advice for future scientists:

Persevere. It takes a lot of hard work. Keep the passion. Keep informed. Read. Read about your subject and read around your subject. And don’t feel intimidated. It can be quite intimidating when you’re in an all-male environment, and you’re the only female. But I’ve learned not to feel intimidated because you know just as much as everybody else in your peer group.

 


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