Sarah Nurmohamed

Crystallographer

I’m a scientist who investigates and explores crystallography! That’s science speak for the study of crystals!

I look at crystals under a very powerful microscope that determines the 3-dimensional shape of objects. I use x-ray beams to look at the patterns and shapes in crystals that are similar to that of a snowflake or ice crystals.

My work is all about using crystallography to find cures for blood cancer. We have two main kinds of blood: Red blood cells that give you oxygen and White blood cells that make you feel healthy. Blood cancer can affect both children and adults and there are two main kinds: Red blood cancer and White blood cancer.

Using crystals, I study the 3-dimensional shapes of proteins that make up blood. With crystals, I can look at what happens when the proteins and DNA stop working, sometimes the chemical bonds break or have a mistake; I use crystal structures to fix the mistakes and find cures for blood cancer.

Sarah is our Cool Crystals box champion.