Two scientists from the University of Nottingham have been recognised for their research achievements with a Royal Society Award.
Professor Cameron Alexander from the School of Pharmacy has been named winner of the 2025 Royal Society of Chemistry's Interdisciplinary Prize and Dr Mattia Silvi from the School of Chemistry has been awarded the 2025 Royal Society of Chemistry's Hickinbottom Prize.
Professor Alexander won the prize for interdisciplinary research at the boundaries of chemistry, bio-responsive materials, and medicine, receiving £5,000 and a medal.
Cameron Alexander's research spans chemistry, biology and medicine. The main aim is to develop materials which can detect, prevent and treat diseases of current unmet need. Many potential drug molecules, ranging from anti-cancer agents, antibacterials and nucleic acids such as RNA, require carriers to enable them to reach their targets in the body. Cameron's team make these materials and study their effects in a variety of disease environments, working closely with clinicians to ensure that breakthroughs in the lab have a pathway to realistic future therapies. Cameron is highly motivated in training students and researchers at all stages to think beyond traditional subject boundaries, and is a strong believer in life-long learning, knowing that he can always learn much from his team.
I am really delighted and very honoured to receive the Interdisciplinary Prize! The list of previous winners includes people who have really inspired me, and who continue to do so - it is great to be in their company! Also, the prize really recognises the hard work of an amazing team of group members and colleagues past and present - I am grateful to them all for this award.
Dr Silvi won the prize for the development of creative synthetic strategies through the design of novel radical acceptors, receiving £3,000 and a medal.
His research group studies the use of visible light in organic chemistry. The irradiation of organic molecules with light leads to the generation of free radicals, reactive species able to rapidly form new chemical bonds. By leveraging this simple concept, Silvi's research team aims to discover new strategies to convert available materials into valuable molecules, providing chemists with new routes to access the pharmaceuticals, the agrochemicals and the functional materials of tomorrow.
I am truly honoured to receive this prestigious prize and I would like to acknowledge all my research group members for their exceptional enthusiasm, resilience and motivation.
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."
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 winners 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.
The Research and Innovation Prizes celebrate brilliant individuals across industry and academia. They include prizes for those at different career stages in general chemistry and for those working in specific fields, as well as interdisciplinary prizes and prizes for those in specific roles. Other prize categories include those for volunteers, those for in education (announced in November), the Inclusion & Diversity Prize, and the Horizon Prizes – which celebrate discoveries and innovations that push the boundaries of science.
