Yagamare Fall is from Vigo University, in Spain, and has developed the first enantioselective synthesis of palinurin. 

What inspired you to become a scientist? 

When I was at high school in my home country, Senegal, I had the opportunity to start learning English and German with really outstanding teachers with whom it was a pleasure to study these languages, Mrs Maryse Castano and Herr Booker W. Sadji, whom I take this opportunity to thank publicly. Although I also enjoyed science, I must confess that languages were my favourite subject. So why did I eventually become a scientist? Well, a late uncle of mine who was a professor of medicine at the University of Dakar managed to convince me that science offered more career opportunities than languages. Unfortunately he was right. 

What was your motivation behind the work described in your ChemComm article? 

Some years ago I was attending a scientific meeting in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and during the poster session I was approached by two executives of a pharmaceutical company who showed interest in the kind of compound described in our poster. After e-mail exchanges, the signing of a confidential agreement initiated a fruitful collaboration which has culminated in a PhD thesis and in this ChemComm article describing the first enantioselective synthesis of palinurin. This is a nice story with a happy ending! 

Why did you choose ChemComm to publish your work? 

ChemComm is a highly rated journal with an excellent impact factor, and publication is very fast. 

Where do you see your research heading next? 

The synthesis of palinurin that we describe is highly convergent and hence very versatile, and can easily be modified to obtain palinurin analogues. We intend to carry out QSAR studies to focus our work in this area. As another aspect of our involvement in the development of new methods for natural product synthesis, we have recently entered the fascinating world of ionic liquids, which we will use as green solvents, organocatalysts, or soluble supports. 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

I enjoy being with my family, listening to music (mainly soul, country and reggae), and watching my favourite soccer team, Barcelona. 

If you could not be scientist, but could be anything else, what would you be? 

I would definitely be a musician or a soccer star! 

Interviewed by Emma Shiells