Lemuel Valdez

Chief Information Security Officer

Lemuel leads the global cyber-security strategy for a world leader in satellite communications systems serving defence, maritime, and aerospace sectors. The mission that my company has is to protect the technologies that connect people, vessels, and aircraft across the globe.

Post 16 Education: A Levels in German, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, General Studies and EPQ

Higher Education:

  • BSc Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (with a year in Industry), Loughborough University
  • MSc Software and Systems Security, University of Oxford
  • Soft Surgical Robotics, University of Leeds

Why did you choose Chemistry?

I was drawn to chemistry because it offered a way to understand the invisible — to see the patterns behind how the world works. That same curiosity drives me today. Whether it’s molecules or malware, I’ve always loved exploring complex systems and finding clarity in chaos.

 

From Chemistry to Cyber-Security

Studying chemistry gave me a scientific mindset — analytical, evidence-based, and relentlessly curious. When I transitioned into cyber-security, I realised those same principles applied perfectly. Understanding cause and effect, asking the right questions, and thinking critically about risk are universal skills.

 

Lemuel's Journey

After university, I began my career exploring the intersection of technology and people. Over time, I found my passion in protecting critical systems — not just securing data, but ensuring that communication, safety, and trust remain intact in an increasingly digital world.

I now lead cyber-security across global operations, focusing on resilience, innovation, and collaboration. My journey from chemistry to cyber-security shows that science isn’t confined to the lab — it’s a mindset that empowers you to shape any field you step into.

What I learned from my journey is that your degree doesn’t define you. The degree enables you to adopt a mindset, a sense of responsibility and direction. The experience I had at Loughborough, allowed me to be the person who I am.

Lemuel's advice

Your degree is the foundation — not the limit — of your career. Focus on mastering how to think, not just what to think. Be curious, adaptable, and unafraid to reinvent yourself.

Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. You don’t need to have it all figured out — but if you lead with integrity, curiosity, and purpose, the right path will reveal itself.

Lemuel’s experience as a student

Loughborough for me was one amazing rollercoaster ride. I got my teeth into a lot of things at University, from being a member of the Board of Trustees, to becoming a student rep and even leading my own societies.

What I cherished the most about it, was the culture that Loughborough still has; to never give up, to keep practicing and constantly improve.

You can always find someone ‘better’ than you, but it doesn't mean you have reached your limit. Learn from it, learn your mistakes and continue to strive harder.

From my course: I loved my course a lot. I remember my first lectures with Dr. Jennings, Dr. Jones, Dr. Pritchard, Dr. Worrall, Dr. Williams and Prof. Fletcher from my first year. Each one of them brought in a different style of teaching. I may have been bad at Physical Chemistry but Prof Fletcher and Dr. Worrall really inspired me. Dr. Jennings, Jones and Pritchard with Organic Chemistry and the lab practice, totally loved that!

Lemuel’s closing thought

What inspires me most is the chance to protect the systems that connect humanity — from ships at sea to satellites in orbit. Whatever you study, remember: knowledge becomes powerful when you use it to serve others.

 

 

Loughborough University offers undergraduate degrees (BSc and MChem) in:

Chemistry, Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Chemistry and Computing.

Chemistry OpenPlus - A flexible route to a degree in Chemistry offered in partnership with the Open University.

Chemistry with a Foundation Year - For candidates who for some reason have not had the opportunity to study the pre-requisite subjects needed for first year entry.