Three University scientists have been recognised in this year’s Royal Society of Chemistry Awards.
l-r Dr Lucy Clark, Professor Helen Cooper, Professor Andrew Dove
Professor Andrew Dove, in the School of Chemistry, has been named winner of the Society’s Corday-Morgan Prize in recognition of brilliance in research and innovation. The prize was awarded for Professor Dove’s seminal contributions to controlling and understanding stereochemistry and degradation in polymeric materials. Professor Dove also receives £5,000 and a medal.
After receiving the prize, Professor Dove said: “Undoubtedly, it's a huge honour to receive this award and is great recognition for the incredible work from a great team of scientists that I have worked with both directly under my supervision but also in collaboration from across the globe. Looking at the past winners of the Corday-Morgan Prizes, it is hard to believe that I am in the company of such esteemed chemists and just hope that I can continue to emulate their incredible achievements as my career continues.”
Professor Helen Cooper, in the School of Biosciences, is the winner of the Society’s Theophilus Redwood Award for her work on the direct analysis and imaging of proteins and protein assemblies from tissue.
Professor Cooper leads a team developing new tools and approaches, collectively called ‘native ambient mass spectrometry’ which enables protein structures to be analysed at the molecular level, directly from the physiological environment. This provides important insights into the various specific roles of proteins in life processes.
And Dr Lucy Clark, Associate Professor of Materials Chemistry, has been awarded the Society’s Early Career Award for her outstanding contributions to the discovery, characterisation and understanding of quantum magnets.
Dr Clark leads an interdisciplinary group of researchers in the School of Chemistry dedicated to discovering and exploring new and exotic states of matter in solid-state materials. This includes the design and synthesis of new quantum materials.
“Great science changes the way we think about things – either through the techniques used, the findings themselves, the products that emerge or even in how we interact with the world and those around us.
Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “Great science changes the way we think about things – either through the techniques used, the findings themselves, the products that emerge or even in how we interact with the world and those around us. Importantly, it also allows us to reflect on the incredible people involved in this work and how they have achieved their results.
“Although we are in the midst of negotiating a particularly turbulent and challenging era, it is important to celebrate successes and advances in understanding as genuine opportunities to improve our lives. The work of Professor Dove is a fantastic example of why we celebrate great science, and we’re very proud to recognise their contribution today.”
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.
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About the Royal Society of Chemistry
We are an international organisation connecting chemical scientists with each other, with other scientists, and with society as a whole. Founded in 1841 and based in London, UK, we have an international membership of over 50,000. We use the surplus from our global publishing and knowledge business to give thousands of chemical scientists the support and resources required to make vital advances in chemical knowledge. We develop, recognise and celebrate professional capabilities, and we bring people together to spark new ideas and new partnerships. We support teachers to inspire future generations of scientists, and we speak up to influence the people making decisions that affect us all. We are a catalyst for the chemistry that enriches our world.
Rewarding Excellence and Gaining Recognition
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Prizes portfolio is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, recognising achievements by individuals, teams and organisations in advancing the chemical sciences. We reward those undertaking excellent work in the chemical sciences from across the world.
Professor of Sustainable Polymer Chemistry
Staff profile for Andrew Dove, Professor in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham.
Professor of Mass Spectrometry
Professor Helen Cooper is an expert in the gas-phase ion chemistry of peptides and proteins. She is a world-leader in the field of electron capture dissociation mass spectrometry
Associate Professor in Materials Chemistry
Staff profile for Dr Lucy Clark
