Four University of Manchester colleagues have been honoured by the Royal Society of Chemistry for their outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences.
Professor Igor Larrosa has been selected to receive the Robert Robinson Prize, while Professor Perdita Barran is one of this year's three Tilden Prize recipients.
Professor Larrosa and Professor Barran are among the more than 40 Research and Innovation Prize winners, which recognises researchers who have displayed their brilliance when it comes to research and innovation.
Dr Muralidharan Shanmugam and Adam Brookfield have earned the Technical Excellence Prize for their outstanding dedication and technical expertise in running the EPSRC UK National Research Facility for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at The University of Manchester. The prize recognises outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences made by individuals or teams working as technicians or in technical roles.
Prof Larrosa won his prize for contributions to organic chemistry in the area of ruthenium-catalysed C-C bond formation, and receives £3,000 and a medal.
His research group investigates the development of catalytic processes that enable chemists in industry and academia to synthesise valuable molecules in a more straightforward and sustainable fashion. The main approach in the group involves the application of analytical tools to the detailed study of the modes of operation of transition metal catalysts, and then using this new knowledge to develop more powerful and efficient catalysts.
After receiving the prize, Prof Larrosa said: "It is such an honour to receive the Robert Robinson Award, especially given its history of celebrating transformative contributions to organic chemistry. This recognition reflects the creativity, persistence and collaborative spirit of the brilliant researchers I have had the privilege to work with over the years. I am proud of what we have achieved together, and deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues, mentors and the wider scientific community."
Professor Barran was recognised with the Tilden Prize for her work on the application of ion mobility mass spectrometry to complex biological systems, and breakthroughs in biomarker discovery - notably non-invasive sampling to diagnose Parkinson's disease.
Her research focuses on developing advanced mass spectrometry techniques to study the structure and behaviour of proteins and other biomolecules, with applications in understanding the fundamentals of biology, the mechanistic reasons for diseases and the development of therapeutics and diagnostics. One of our most notable achievements is the collaborative work with Joy Milne, a retired nurse who possesses an extraordinary sense of smell and noticed a distinct odour associated with Parkinson's disease.
This observation led to research demonstrating that sebum, an oily substance secreted by the skin, contains compounds that can serve as biomarkers for Parkinson's. Using mass spectrometry, our team identified specific molecules in sebum that differ between individuals with and without Parkinson's disease. This discovery has paved the way for the development of a non-invasively sampled and rapid diagnostic test that can detect Parkinson's disease with high accuracy, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and treatment.
Prof Barran won £5,000 and a medal.
After receiving the prize, Prof Barran said: "I was absolutely thrilled! This prize was formally won by both my PhD advisors, Harry Kroto and Tony Stace, my undergraduate personal tutor, Dave Garner, and many other brilliant scientists. I felt totally honoured to be among these people who I have always respected. In my case, I attribute winning to the people that I have been privileged to work with. I noted that out of about 200 recipients I was the ninth female. This also made me feel pretty pleased!"
Dr Muralidharan Shanmugam and Adam Brookfield are two EPSRC National Research Facility (NRF) for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy technical specialists named as the winners of one of the Royal Society of Chemistry's team prizes, which celebrate discoveries and innovations that push the boundaries of science.
The duo have been recognised for their outstanding dedication and technical expertise in running the facility at The University of Manchester. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is the spectroscopic technique that is selective and sensitive to unpaired electrons. The unpaired electrons could be intrinsic to the materials studied or could be induced via a process (e.g light/heat/chemically) to provide information on structure, kinetics and much more, with applications covering all areas of physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. The technical team at the EPSRC NRF both maintain the equipment and assist users with the design, implementation and analysis of proposed experiments.
They will share £3,000 and receive a trophy.
After receiving the prize, Adam Brookfield said: "Both Murali and I are over the moon that our contributions have been recognised by the RSC with this award.
"We're both nosey scientists at heart, we want to provide the best instrument access and knowledge to our users to enable their world-class science. We're in a unique position where we get to see and adapt the facility to the trends and hotspots in research areas, alongside training the next generation of scientific leaders."
The Royal Society of Chemistry's prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. This year's winners join a prestigious list of past recipients in the RSC's prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.
Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: "The chemical sciences cover a rich and diverse collection of disciplines, from fundamental understanding of materials and the living world, to applications in medicine, sustainability, technology and more. By working together across borders and disciplines, chemists are finding solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
"Our prize winners come from a vast array of backgrounds, all contributing in different ways to our knowledge base, and bringing fresh ideas and innovations. We recognise chemical scientists from every career stage and every role type, including those who contribute to the RSC's work as volunteers. We celebrate winners from both industry and academia, as well as individuals, teams, and the science itself.
"Their passion, dedication and brilliance are an inspiration. I extend my warmest congratulations to them all."
