Professor scoops top award

Professor Andrew Smith from St Andrews University has been named the Royal Society of Chemistry Charles Rees Award winner for 2018.

The Charles Rees Award is presented for excellence in heterocyclic chemistry, which is a type of organic chemistry concerned with compounds which have ring structures composed of at least two different elements.

Mr Smith receives £2,000 and a medal for his work in developing catalytic methods used to improve the synthesis of useful molecules in industrial processes.

He said: “It is a great privilege to receive the Charles Rees Award, especially considering the calibre of current research in this field and the previous recipients of this award.

“I feel this award acknowledges the importance that innovative catalysis plays in synthetic heterocyclic chemistry, and highlights the hard work carried out by my research group in driving this area forward.”

He will deliver a lecture at the Lakeland Symposium in Grasmere.

Dr Robert Parker, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “This year’s inspiring and influential winners come from a range of specialisms, backgrounds, countries and communities.

“Each has done their bit to advance excellence in the chemical sciences, to improve the lives of people around the world now and in the future.”