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The awards are among the oldest and most prestigious research prizes in the world, having recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years.
Professor Stephen Faulkner, head of the university’s Department of Chemistry, said: “We are thrilled that the research of our academics has been recognised today with these prestigious awards from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
“Congratulations to all four winners, whose work spans the breadth of chemical research: from medicinal chemistry and molecular engineering, to green chemistry and materials development.
“As well as recognising our academics’ ground-breaking work, today’s awards stand as a testament to the inspiring work that so many people do in our department’s laboratories throughout the year.”
Among the winners is professor Harry Anderson, who received the Pedler Prize, which recognises outstanding contributions to the field of organic chemistry.
Professor Anderson’s work focuses on creating molecular compounds with unprecedented properties and altering their molecular architectures to achieve desired characteristics.
He said: “It is a great honour to be awarded the Pedler Prize, because former recipients include chemists who I greatly admire, such as my PhD mentor, Jeremy Sanders, and Sir Jack Baldwin, who appointed me to my first permanent position.”
Another winner was associate professor of inorganic chemistry Robert Hoye, who was awarded the Beilby Medal and Prize.
This recognises work of exceptional practical significance in chemical engineering, applied materials science, energy efficiency or a related field.
He said: “I am humbled to receive this award, particularly the recognition of the interdisciplinary nature of my work.”
Professor Dermot O’Hare, a professor of organometallic and materials chemistry was awarded the John B Goodenough Prize, recognising outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences in any area of materials chemistry.
He said: “It is a particular honour to be this year’s recipient of the Royal Society of Chemistry, John B Goodenough Prize.
“John was the statutory professor of inorganic chemistry at Oxford when I was an undergraduate. Back then, it never crossed my mind that I was receiving lectures from a future Nobel Laureate.”
Meanwhile, professor Angela Russell received the Chemistry Biology Interface mid-career prize: Jeremy Knowles Award for her work towards finding an effective treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
She said: “I am delighted to receive this recognition of our work over the last 20 years.”
In addition to the individual recipients, the ReLiB Project, a multidisciplinary collaboration, received the 2024 Royal Society of Chemistry’s Horizon Prize, which celebrates discoveries and innovations pushing the boundaries of science.
