Birmingham scientists win Royal Society of Chemistry prizes

The Royal Society of Chemistry has awarded prestigious research prizes to four scientists from the University of Birmingham.

Professor Stephen Goldup has won the Corday-Morgan Prize, Professor Rachel O’Reilly has received the Tilden Prize, and Dr Nathan Davison has been awarded the Dalton Emerging Researcher Prize.

Professor Vasilios Stavros won a Horizon Prize as a member – and leader - of the BoostCrop team, which developed a library of biocompatible molecules that can on application harness solar UV energy and enhance crop growth.

The Birmingham scientists are among more than 40 winners recognised this year for their outstanding contributions to advancing the chemical sciences.

Professor Goldup’s award recognises his work to understand and control the stereochemistry of mechanically interlocked molecules. This unusual type of stereochemistry arises when small molecular fragments are threaded through one another, like threading beads on a string or rings linked to make a chain.

Specifically, this award recognises his progress in developing the language and theory to describe the stereochemistry of mechanically interlocked molecules, which even led to the discovery of new types of stereochemistry.

Professor O’Reilly was recognised for her pioneering work on precision polymer chemistry, self-assembly and materials synthesis that demonstrates both fundamental new science and innovative real-world problem solving.

Dr Davison receives his award for advancing the sustainable use of organolithium and organosodium chemistry. Organo-alkali metal reagents, such as n-butyllithium, are essential tools in synthetic chemistry - reagents widely used in both academic research and industrial applications.

Professor Goldup commented: “I’m proud to receive this award, which is tremendous recognition for the innovative work carried out by my team of scientists at the University of Birmingham and our research partners across the globe.

“I’m delighted to join the illustrious company of chemists who have previously won the Corday-Morgan Prize. Innovative science is so important – it changes the way we think about our world and, ultimately, improves people’s lives.”

Professor Goldup’s research enables development of flexible processes to make molecules expressing mechanical stereochemistry with high selectivity. His research will allow scientists to design and build new types of molecules with exciting properties that have potential applications catalysis, drug delivery, electronic materials, and sensing. 

Professor Rachel O’Reilly commented: “I am delighted to receive this award as our work on precision polymer nanoparticles has been a labour of love for the last 15 years working with many great researchers and collaborators. I am especially grateful to the University of Birmingham for their support for my research.”

Professor O’Reilly’s work has developed new ways of creating tiny synthetic particles that could help to improve treatments for diseases such as cancer and create solutions to the world’s energy problems.

Dr Nathan Davison commented: “It is a huge honour to be receiving this prize, and I am very grateful for everyone who has helped me throughout my research.”

Organo-alkali metal reagents, such as n-butyllithium, are essential tools in synthetic chemistry - widely used in both academic research and industrial applications. Dr Davison designs and synthesise highly reactive monomeric species – studying the relationship between structure and reactivity, and differences between lithium and sodium organometallic compounds.

Professor Vasilios Stavros commented: “I am delighted that Team BoostCrop has been awarded one of the RSC’s Horizon Prizes. The project has been an incredible journey through which we have demonstrated how blue-skies research can potentially have massive impact on society. It has been a privilege to work this amazing team of researchers.

"Food security is a growing area of concern, with the UN listing it as part of their Sustainable Development Initiatives. To improve food security, current harvests must be enhanced - frost damage alone is estimated to cost Europe €3.3 billion per annum in reduced harvests.”

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. In 2019, the organisation announced the biggest overhaul of this portfolio in its history, designed to better reflect modern scientific work and culture.