Before California Institute of Technology’s Harry Gray became THE Harry Gray, he faced the pressure of starting an independent career in chemistry. Watch the bioinorganic chemistry pioneer reflect on his early work and offer guidance to a new generation of principal investigators. ↓↓More information below↓↓

Gray spoke at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 21. Addressing Chemical & Engineering News’ 2017 class of Talented 12—and an auditorium of chemists—the self-described “crazy nutcase inorganic chemist” shared his views on making mistakes, building relationships with students, and whether it’s OK to hang out with physicists.