Birmingham four win RSC research prizes
29 Jun 2025
The University of Birmingham is celebrating Royal Society of Chemistry research prize wins for four of its scientists.
Professors Stephen Goldup and Rachel O’Reilly won the Corday-Morgan and Tilden Prizes respectively and Dr Nathan Davison has the Dalton Emerging Researcher Prize.
Professor Vasilios Stavros also won a Horizon Prize as leader of the institution’s BoostCrop team, which developed a library of biocompatible molecules to harness solar UV energy and enhance crop growth.
The four are among a host of winners recognised this year for their outstanding contributions to advancing the chemical sciences.
Goldup’s award recognises his development of the language and theory to describe the stereochemistry of mechanically interlocked molecules and is credited with leading to the discovery of new types of stereochemistry.
O’Reilly was honoured for her work on precision polymer chemistry, self-assembly and materials synthesis that demonstrated “both fundamental new science and innovative real-world problem solving”, said the university.
Davison receives his award for advancing the sustainable use of organolithium and organosodium chemistry. Organo-alkali metal reagents are essential tools for synthetic chemistry in academic research and industrial applications.
Professor Goldup commented: “I’m proud to receive this award, which is tremendous recognition for the innovative work carried out by my team of scientists at the University of Birmingham and our research partners across the globe.
O’Reilly commented: “I am delighted to receive this award as our work on precision polymer nanoparticles has been a labour of love for the last 15 years working with many great researchers and collaborators. I am especially grateful to the University of Birmingham for their support for my research.”
Professor Vasilios Stavros said of BoostCrop’s receipt of an RSC Horizon Prize that it demonstrated “how blue-skies research can potentially have massive impact “.
He added: "Food security is a growing area of concern, with the UN listing it as part of their Sustainable Development Initiatives. To improve food security, current harvests must be enhanced - frost damage alone is estimated to cost Europe €3.3 billion per annum in reduced harvests.”
Pic: Clockwise from top left: Professor Rachel O’Reilly, professor Stephen Goldup, Dr Nathan Davison, and professor Vasilios Stavros
